A day after the decision made by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to organize HBL PSL V 2020 matches behind closed doors in Karachi due to coronavirus threats, 14 foreign players and coaching staff have withdrawn the Pakistan Super League tournament.
Four Islamabad United players and a member of the coaching staff have decided to return home. United players Colin Munro, Dale Steyn, Dawid Malan and Luke Ronchi and trainer Corey Rutgers will not take any further part in the tournament.
As such, the PCB will facilitate their safe return and United, who play their last group match against Karachi Kings on 14 March at the National Stadium, can bring in the players' replacements following the Event Technical Committee's approval, as per the HBL PSL 2020 regulations.
According to the details released by PCB after a conference call with the team owners on Friday morning, the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 would proceed as planned.
It said that all players and players support personnel have been given the option to withdraw from the HBL PSL 2020 should they wish to do so.
It said that Karachi Kings - Alex Hales, Multan Sultans - Rilee Rossouw and James Vince, Peshawar Zalmi - Tom Banton, Carlos Brathwaite, Liam Dawson, James Foster (coach), Lewis Gregory and Liam Livingstone and Quetta Gladiators - Jason Roy and Tymal Mills have earlier confirmed to leave the remaining matches of HBL PSL 2020. Rilee Rossouw and Carlos Brathwaite took the flight and already left the country.
Wasim Khan Chief Executive PCB confirmed that 10 foreign players and a foreign coach have withdrawn from the tournament. He said that PCB has taken test of the players and no player has so far tested positive.
Wasim said that no discussion has taken place as yet with regards to the upcoming Pakistan Cup One-Day Tournament and home international matches against Bangladesh
"Today, the PCB and the team owners, as part of their duty of care, have decided to give all the players the option to decide if they wish to return home. Ensuring that the players feel comfortable remains paramount to the PCB.
"As stated previously, we will continue to assess and review the situation and will not hesitate to make what we believe are the right decisions for everyone involved," he maintained.
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