PSL 2021 hit by COVID-19 as one player tests positive; official, another cricketer quarantined after breach of protocol

Karachi: One player has tested positive for coronavirus while another player and an official were quarantined after breaching disease protocols ahead of the start of the Pakistan Super League in Karachi on Saturday.

Six teams are vying for the title in the sixth edition of the Twenty20 league, which runs from 20 February to 22 March in Karachi and Lahore.

"A player from a franchise team who had shown symptoms and was in isolation has tested positive," the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.

"He will now remain in quarantine for 10 days and will require two negative tests in order to rejoin the side."

The identity of the player was not disclosed.

Representational image. Getty Images

Separately, a player and an official from another team were placed under a three-day quarantine after they came into contact with a person outside the league's bio-secure bubble on Friday.

"The two individuals will now require two negative tests during the three-day quarantine period before they can re-enter the bio-secure bubble in accordance with the re-entry protocols," the board said.

The PCB said it was disappointed that two people had shown carelessness and violated the bio-secure bubble protocols.

"As reiterated previously, the health and safety of all individuals associated with PSL (Pakistan Super League) is of paramount importance to the PCB and the event," it said.

Crowds at 20 percent of capacity will be allowed to watch the matches under strict Covid-19 protocols.

In last year's league four matches had to be played without crowds in February before three play-offs and the final were cancelled after England player Alex Hales showed symptoms of Covid-19.

The matches were rescheduled to November in a closed stadium, when Karachi Kings won the title.

Karachi play Quetta Gladiators in the opening match on Saturday.