ISLAMABAD: The UAE has issued visas to all players and support staff traveling to Abu Dhabi from India and South Africa for Pakistan Super League’s sixth edition, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) communications director, Sami Burni, said on Wednesday.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said last week it had received the approval from the United Arab Emirates government to stage the remaining 20 matches of the suspended Pakistan Super League twenty20 tournament in Abu Dhabi.
The board’s flagship tournament was stopped after 14 games in March after seven individuals, including six players, tested positive for COVID-19.
“David Miller, Faf du Plessis, Herschelle Gibbs, Rilee Rossouw, Cameron Delport and Michael Smith have all received their travel documents,” Pakistani local news channel, Geo News, reported on its website. “All members of the support staff from South Africa were also issued travel visas by the UAE authorities.”
Rejecting speculation that the next edition of the league would not be held in Pakistan, Burni said” “The next PSL will also take place in Pakistan.”
On Tuesday, due to a reported delay in issuance of visas, the PCB had to postpone its scheduled charter flights to UAE to transfer players, officials and support staff for the remaining matches of PSL.
Two aircraft were scheduled to leave from Lahore and Karachi on Wednesday to take 233 passengers to Abu Dhabi for the PSL. However, a late-night message by the board on Tuesday stated that the flight had now been delayed by 24 hours.
UAE issues visas to players traveling from India, South Africa for PSL
https://arab.news/wsuzf
UAE issues visas to players traveling from India, South Africa for PSL
- Flagship tournament stopped after 14 games in March after seven individuals, including six players, tested positive for COVID-19
- Pakistan Cricket Board media director says next edition of series will be played in Pakistan
Pakistan U19 to open tri-series against Afghanistan on Saturday in Zimbabwe
- Pakistan enter the tournament as U19 Asia Cup champions after beating India by 191 runs in Dubai
- The tri-series is seen as key preparation for next month’s U19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s under-19 cricket team will begin their tri-series campaign against Afghanistan on Saturday in Harare, using the tournament as a key preparation for next month’s ICC Men’s U19 World Cup co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Pakistan, the reigning ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup champions, are competing in the 50-over tri-series alongside Afghanistan and hosts Zimbabwe, with each team playing the others twice before the top two advance to the final on Jan. 6.
Pakistan won the eight-team Asia Cup in Dubai earlier this month, beating India by 191 runs in the final, and will play a minimum of four matches in the tri-series, starting at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
“The Asia Cup was a good win for us and the players showed great morale and intensity,” Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf said, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “The tri-series is very important for the players and will help us find the right combinations ahead of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup.”
Pakistan will face Zimbabwe on Dec. 29 before meeting Afghanistan again on Jan. 2, followed by a second match against the hosts on Jan. 4. Matches will be played across venues in Harare, including Harare Sports Club, Prince Edward School and Sunrise Sports Club.
The tri-series is being seen as an important warm-up ahead of the U19 World Cup, which will be held from Jan. 15 to Feb. 6. Pakistan are placed in Group C and will play all their group-stage matches in Harare.
“The conditions here are similar and will be beneficial for our World Cup preparations,” Yousaf said. “Both teams in the tournament are strong and competitive and we respect every opposition as we look forward to a competitive event.”
Pakistan will open their World Cup campaign against England on Jan. 16, followed by matches against Scotland and Zimbabwe, with the Super Six stage beginning on Jan. 25 and the final scheduled for Feb. 6 at Harare Sports Club.
