Breaking: PSL 2021 postponed after episodes of Covid-19 outbreak

PSL 2021: 3 more players test Covid-19 positive, Dan Christian pulls out of tournament

There is no end to crises in the sight of the Pakistan Cricket Board as the number of cases is only rising with each passing days in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL). After the initial reporting of three covid-19 cases, three more cases have been reported across the franchises in the PSL, but the PCB said that none of the new cases have been reported from the four franchises that took part in the double-headers on Wednesday. However, the board has not revealed the names and franchises which have reported Covid-19 cases. The PCB further said that it will hold a virtual meeting with all the franchise owners and managements to decide the future course of action. Looking at the Covid-19 situations out of its control, the PCB has allowed foreign players to leave the tournament midway, per a report by Cricket Pakistan. Karachi Kings player Daniel Christian and Team Director Wasim Akram have made up his mind to leave the league and country after the nod from the PCB, the report added.

WI vs SL | 1st T20I: Kieron Pollard hits six sixes in one over, Akila Dananjaya takes hattrick

Kieron Pollard has hit six sixes in an over and became the only second batsmen to hit all balls of an over the fence in international T20 cricket after Yuvraj Singh. He smashed Sri Lanka’s spinner Akhila Dhananjaya to all parts of the ground in the sixth over of the first T20I between Sri Lanka and West Indies at Coolidge. He became only the third batsmen in international cricket to hit as many sixes in one over after Harshelle Gibbs and Yuvraj. Interestingly, Dhananjaya had taken a hattrick in his previous over dismissing Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran on three consecutive deliveries in the third over of the West Indies.

To fight Covid-19, PCB decides to vaccinate all members inside the PSL 6 bio-bubble

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to fight the menace of Covid-19 plaguing the Pakistan Super League by administering anti-Covid vaccines to all the members of the bio-bubble. In a press release issued by the boar, it also informed that the shots will be administered on Thursday, 05th March itself. The PCB would become the first cricket board to use the vaccine that produces protection against the Covid-19 virus. The board however clarified that no one will be forced to take the vaccine and it would solely be the decision of the individual whether he wants to get vaccinated or not. “In line with our duty of care policy, we have acquired a small allocation of SARS-Coronavirus Vaccine, which will be offered to all those inside the bio-secure environment created for the HBL Pakistan Super League 6,” PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said. “ The vaccinations will be administered on Thursday morning by qualified health workers, strictly in line with government protocols,’ he added saying that the health of the players is the priority of the PCB and PSL.

PSL 6: Quetta breaks the streak as Qais Ahmad’s brilliant spell downs Multan

The Pakistan Super League’ sixth edition’s streak of 'teams chasing and winning the game’ was finally broken after 13 games. It was broken by a team and in a match that nobody believed could happen. Quetta gladiators, who had lost their previous four games even after scoring as high as 198, went on to defend 176 against the Multan Sultans, defeating the Mohammad Rizwan led side by 22 runs. Qais Ahmad was the hero of the game for Quetta with his spell of 3-21 in four overs at the National Stadium in Karachi. Ahmad, 20, was included in the side for the first time after the opening match debacle phenomenal with his variations. The Afghan leggie stopped the flow of runs with his leg break and cunning googlies, causing the batsmen to go for unconventional options, making them commit mistakes, and in turn giving away their wickets. In his four overs, Ahmad got the important scalps of James Vince, Shan Masood and Rilee Rossouw, rightfully claiming the award of Man of the Match. The Sultans started the chase of 177 cautiously with the opening pair of Vince and Rizwan adding 63 runs in the first eight overs. However, after the first breakthrough of Vince, the screws were tightened by Sarfraz Ahmed, as he operated spin from both ends, causing all sorts of discomfort to the Multan side. Mohammad Nawaz bowled well in tandem with Qais, making it difficult for batsmen to free their hands. As pressure mounted, wickets kept falling at regular intervals. With Sohaib Maqsood departing at the end of the 13th over, Rizwan was joined by Khushdil Shah, who did play a few shots, but they were one shot too many. Even after Zahid Mahmood and Dale Steyn conceding 12 and 14 runs respectively in two overs and the game getting back in the balance, the Sultans could not capitalise. When 60 runs were needed from the last five overs, Ahmad bowled a brilliant over, giving just eight runs and building even more pressure on the two batsmen in the middle. Khushdil Shah then got out of a Mohammad Hasnain slower ball. In the same over Hsnain removed Carlos Brathwaite as well, forcing Rizwan, who was batting on 66 to fight a lone battle. Mahmood then came back to bowl the 18th over and picked two wickets, removing Rizwan to put the match firmly in Quetta’ kitty. Mere formalities were left after that as whole Multan were bundled out for 154 in 19.4 overs. Earlier in the evening, as predicted, Multan invited Quetta to bat first after they won the toss. Usman Khan, the debutant for Quetta made full use of the opportunity, scoring a brilliant 81 off 50 balls. In his knock of 81, the 25-year-old right-hander hit 10 fours and three sixes, getting Quetta to a blistering start. However, the big-hitting got subdued as Usman got out and more wickets fell regularly. Courtesy of Mohammad Nawaz’s last over hitting, in which he scored 13 runs, the Gladiators reached 176. With this win, Quetta finally registered themselves on the Points Table, although they are still placed at the bottom. This victory also gave them a lifeline and renewed vigour to face Islamabad in the first match of the doubleheader on March 6. Sultans on the other hand would look to find other ways to win a game when they face Karachi on 5th March.