PCB to outsource management of biosecure bubble for remaining PSL 6 games

• PCB to outsource the management of its biosecure bubble for the remaining 20 matches of PSL 6 whenever they are scheduled to be held.
• Source says a high-level meeting of the PCB was held on Friday where it was decided to hold the remaining matches in one city only 
• Three windows for the games are under consideration at the moment.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to outsource the management of its biosecure bubble for the remaining games of the Pakistan Super League — whenever they are scheduled to be held.

A top-level meeting of PCB was held in Karachi on Friday — a day after the sixth edition of PSL was suspended following seven COVID-19 cases among players and officials inside the bubble. The meeting discussed various possibilities of when and how to hold the remaining PSL games.

“It has been decided that only one city will host the games and there are three windows under consideration,” said a source privy to matter.

“Windows are May, June or September. We will discuss players' availabilities and international calendar with franchises before reaching a final conclusion on dates for the remaining matches,” the source said.

The PCB may face challenges regarding the availability of players and the international calendar. Having a tournament in May will pose a direct clash with the Indian Premier League, where some of the PSL players are also signed up.  

Meanwhile, if the PCB decides to hold the games in June, there might be weather-related challenges because Pakistan experiences the monsoon season and torrential rains in summer. In September, the window PCB is considering is just before the arrival of the New Zealand team.

The PCB source confirmed that all the remaining matches will be held in one city of Pakistan and biosecure management will be outsourced to the company that has experience of making such arrangements.

“Karachi, Lahore or Rawalpindi - there will be one city from these three,” the source said.

A UK based company Restrata was hired by England and Wales Cricket Board for arrangements during the Pakistan v England series. The same company oversaw arrangements in UAE for IPL.