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Remaining PSL 5 matches unlikely to take place

The winner of the tournament will be decided after consultation with franchises

Remaining PSL 5 matches unlikely to take place PHOTO COURTESY: PCB

The remaining Pakistan Super League (PSL) season five matches are unlikely to take place due to non-availability of foreign players and low expected revenue. The final decision on the matter will be taken in September.  

The fifth edition was postponed indefinitely due to novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, before the playoffs stage.

Initially, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was looking to hold the remaining matches during the second half of November or early December but now the chances of this happening look bleak.

According to sources, the franchises are also convinced that the remaining matches won’t take place.

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PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani has already made it clear that the matches won’t take place in United Arab Emirates (UAE). The agreement with broadcasters also states that the entire tournament will take place in Pakistan.

Sources close to the matter have also revealed that the PCB wants to ensure that it receives the bank guarantee from franchises, which are due next month for the sixth edition of PSL, before taking a final decision.

If the PCB cancels the remaining matches before receiving the fees, the franchises could ask for relief and, hence, make things more difficult in terms of financial viability of the league.

The winner of the tournament will be decided after consultation with franchises. It must be noted that Multan Sultans were at the top of the table, after completion of the group stage matches.