The fact-finding committee has started taking action as the stories of neglect have been analysed after the postponement of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season six. 

Representatives from the franchises in the PSL have communicated the shortcomings of the bio-secure bubble to the committee. 

The franchises believe that adequate arrangements would have garnered a different result to the tournament than its eventual postponement.

The fact-finding panel will submit its recommendations to the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Ehsan Mani, on March 31.

It should be noted that the PSL season six was postponed after just 14 matches due to a rise in coronavirus cases. Many questions were raised regarding the bio-secure bubble. The head of the PCB’s medical commission Dr. Sohail Saleem had resigned from his position after the postponement of the tournament. 

The PCB had created a two-member fact-finding panel, which comprised of expert infectious disease doctors, to investigate the shortcomings during the event.

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The members of the panel recently met officials from some franchises at a hotel while some meetings took place through zoom. According to sources, the PCB had communicated to the franchises that they were to discuss all their concerns openly with the panel.

The panel was told that the PCB had not taken care of the basic requirements. Peshawar Zalmi captain Wahab Riaz and head coach Darren Sammy were allowed back into the bubble without going through adequate periods of quarantine. This created a bad example. 

Many relatives of players also came to live in the bubble without going through complete quarantine periods as well. The hotel and ground staff were not a part of the bubble which threatened the well-being of the players involved. Various events like a wedding ceremony were conducted in the teams’ hotel. An official noted that he was asked to quarantine in a non-bubble room after he had to go out of the bubble.

Another official believed that it was the responsibility of the PCB and not the franchises to keep an eye on who was part of the bubble and who breached it. Some officials also stated that they had been part of other leagues around the world and they had instituted their protocols in an effective manner, something that was not done during the PSL season six.

All statements have been recorded by the panel. The franchise officials were also asked for recommendations to make the process better. 

The PCB is currently pursuing a British company for its bio-security needs for the rest of the PSL season six tournament. Different zones will be made in the stadium and hotel. All individuals will get a distinct number and a device which will track their movements. The company will only track and forward data which will then be monitored by the PCB itself. The board plans on completing the postponed event in the month of June.