Risky to continue PSL amid coronavirus scare: Latif

Pakistan’s former wicketkeeper-batsman Rashid Latif, in a Youtube video on Monday, claimed that it was risky to continue the Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Pakistan Super League (PSL) season five amid the coronavirus scare that is engulfing the globe.

The 51-year-old stated that a single player testing positive with the virus could turn this decision into a critical mistake.

“We are waiting for someone to test positive [with coronavirus]. We are actually doing the right thing. Has the world ever followed us? Why should we follow the world now?  We hope the PSL concludes successfully, but if god forbid even one player tests positive then it would be a huge mistake to drag this league out,” Latif said.

Latif claimed that the event should have been cut shorter than it was already which would have provided a befitting conclusion.

“When the players started leaving and it was decided that the HBL PSL 5 should be cut short, it was ok till then. But we did not realise that it would take another three days for the remaining matches. They should have got done with the matches faster and should have gotten done with the final. They have taken too long now and the players have started to leave. Chris Lynn lit up the entire event with a hundred and now he has left,” he said.

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The former wicketkeeper-batsman believed that holding the semi-final and final in empty stadiums implied that the value of the fans is not appreciated by those in charge.

“I think they want to complete this league because they don’t know when it can happen next. They could have postponed the semi-finals and finals for a later date. The players could have participated as well if this happened. You are not giving value to the spectators because of whom this league has been successful by holding it without the fans in attendance. You are doing it out of necessity but did it really need to happen now?” he said.