The remainder of the Pakistan Super League season has been postponed. Neither semi-final or the showpiece finale of the PSL 2020 will take place as planned. The news comes as sporting events around the world are delayed, or cancelled, due to the ongoing threat of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) which has spread quickly in recent weeks.
The news broke just two hours before Multan Sultans were due to face Peshawar Zalmi in the first semi-final of the competition. The second match-up would have seen Karachi Kings take on Lahore Qalandars. At the time of writing there is no suggestion about when the conclusion of the PSL will take place.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT#HBLPSLV postponed, to be rescheduled. More details to follow in due course.
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 17, 2020
Further Disruption for PSL 2020
The organisers had already taken the decision to reduce the remaining matches in an attempt to complete the tournament. The pre-planned play-off structure was abandoned in favour of a straight, three-match option consisting of two semi-finals and a final. The new plan would have seen the competition concluded by March 18th.
A raft of overseas players had already left their PSL teams including Rilee Rossouw, Alex Hales and Tom Banton. That gave the PSL squads a much different look about them, with many marquee players from abroad not involved.
IPL In Doubt After Delayed Start Date
Having already delayed the start of the 2020 IPL season to April 15, the BCCI continues to monitor the situation. The world's leading domestic T20 competition is one of the highlights in the cricket calendar each year but appears under serious threat of postponement or cancellation. There has been no firm decision on the upcoming edition of the competition with the authorities likely to make a decision in the coming weeks.
Coronavirus Impacting Cricket Around the World
The ongoing threat of the Coronavirus has seen dozens of major sporting bodies suspend competitions and threatens other tournaments which are due to start in the coming months. India's upcoming games against South Africa won't be played. England's tour to Sri Lanka was cancelled as well as the remaining ODI clashes between New Zealand and Australia.
