Islamabad: Pakistan has reported 111 new deaths due to the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, government data showed on Thursday, the highest tally since the last week of June.
According to the ministry of health’s COVID-19 portal, Pakistan recorded 2,256 new infections in the last 24 hours, raising the total number of cases to 465,070, with 9,668 deaths.
After a peak of more than 6,800 daily infections in June, the numbers fell to as low as 213 in August as a second wave of the virus has swept Pakistan since last month.
Out of the total reported infections, 417,134 people have recovered while 2,361 are in critical condition. The number of active coronavirus patients was 38,268 on Thursday.
Last month, the government announced new guidelines, including mandatory face masks in public places and banning indoor dining at restaurants. Schools across the country have also been shut down, or have switched to online classes, until mid-January.
Earlier this month, the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan ruled out a complete lockdown and decided to continue its smart lockdown policy with strict implementation of safety rules. Khan has repeatedly said Pakistan’s economy cannot afford a complete lockdown and citizens would have to “live with” strict health guidelines.
The country’s last comprehensive lockdown was lifted in May.
Pakistan records highest single-day COVID-19 deaths in nearly six months
https://arab.news/mya37
Pakistan records highest single-day COVID-19 deaths in nearly six months
- Pakistan has reported 111 new deaths due to the coronavirus in the last 24 hours
- The total number of cases so far is 465,070, with 9,668 deaths
Pakistan says 12 parties have filed bids for two new PSL franchises
- This year’s Pakistan Super League tournament will feature two new franchises to existing roster of six
- Pakistan Cricket Board says bidders hail from countries such as Australia, Canada, US, UAE, Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Wednesday that it has received bids from 12 interested parties for two new franchises of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) tournament, saying the development reflects the league’s commercial appeal.
The 11th edition of this year’s PSL will be held from Mar. 26 to May 11, with the PCB announcing that two new teams will be part of the tournament this time.
Pakistan held roadshows earlier this month in London and New York to invite investors from around the world to bid for the two new franchises. The PCB allowed interested parties to bid for the new franchises till Dec. 22.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced an exceptional and encouraging response to the tender issued for the sale of two new franchises of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL),” the PCB said in a statement.
“Within the stipulated deadline, 12 parties have formally submitted their bids.”
The bidders belong to five continents, including the US, Australia, Canada, the UAE and Pakistan, adding that it “clearly reflects the PSL’s growing global popularity and commercial appeal.”
The PCB said that the results of the current phase of the bidding process will be announced on Dec. 27, adding that in the next stage, technically qualified bidders will have the opportunity to buy the two new teams through an open competition bidding process.
This bidding process will be held on Jan. 8, the board clarified.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board is committed to completing this process in a transparent and competitive manner in line with international standards, to ensure the continued expansion and growth of the HBL Pakistan Super League,” it concluded.
The PSL is Pakistan’s premier T20 cricket league that features a mix of local and international players and coaches. It features six teams, each named after a Pakistani city.
With a little over 10 years since it was launched, the PSL has attracted praise from cricket experts and analysts worldwide and competed for viewership with prominent cricket leagues around the world such as the Big Bash League, Caribbean Premier League, Indian Premier League and others.
