Picture Credit: PSL
Wahab Riaz and Darren Sammy have returned negative for Coronavirus after they were found to have breached bio-secure bubble on Friday. Consequently, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have allowed them to join their Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Peshawar Zalmi. Additionally, the board also relaxed the mandated three-day quarantine for the star players. As per the original guidelines, Riaz and Sammy were to undergo quarantine and return two negative tests.
After the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic, the world had come to a standstill and so had the sporting disciplines. Several of the high profile sporting events including Tokyo Olympics 2020 were pushed back to a later date. However, now that the tournaments are happening, there are strict guidelines and protocols in place with most events happening inside a bio-secure bubble. The players as well as the officials involved face serious penalty for putting themselves and team at risk if they are found to have breached the protocols.
Unnamed players tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the commencement of PSL
Earlier, the host board of the PSL had confirmed that two players who were set to participate in the league tested positive for COVID. PCB confirmed that the players had been sent into quarantine and will be able to rejoin their respective sides. They will have to test negative for the infection after undergoing a mandatory period of quarantine.
The board was also not very happy with the ones found to have violated the COVID bio-secure bubble.
“The PCB is disappointed that two members of one of the side showed carelessness and violated the bio-secure bubble protocols by coming in contact with a person who was not part of the bubble,” the PCB quoted.
“As reiterated previously, the health and safety of all individuals associated with HBL Pakistan Super League 6 is of paramount importance to the PCB and the event. All players, player support personnel, match officials and family members are once again reminded to diligently follow the PCB Covid-19 Protocols as the PCB will not allow anyone to affect the integrity and credibility of the tournament,” it added.