Unceremonious end
The coronavirus pandemic is taking its toll on the sports events the world over.
The coronavirus pandemic is taking its toll on the sports events the world over. Football’s Euro2020 Championship has been delayed till next summer. The French Open has been moved to September. The National Basketball Association of the US has announced suspension of all games until further notice. Even the Tokyo Olympics, scheduled between July 24 and August 9, are threatened.
Amid the unprecedented global situation which is evolving very fast at home as well, the PSL was bound to become a casualty too. The fifth season of the PSL — completely played at home for the first time — had to come to an abrupt halt. The PCB first reduced the number of days of the cricket league while changing the format of the knockout leg of the event. But then the cricket board, in consultation with franchise owners and other stakeholders, had to “postpone [the competition] indefinitely”.
The PSL did come to an unceremonious end, but it has, indeed, done its job. The game of cricket was at its professional best during the tournament. Keen contests were witnessed among the six participating teams that were studded with top local and foreign players — something that certainly helped lift the standard of the game at home, apart from boosting the coffers of sportsmen and the cricket board.
Finishing just shy of three matches, the event turned out to be the country’s biggest sporting extravaganza graced by who’s who of the cricket world. The full hosting of the event in Pakistan, with the presence of foreign stars, successfully sent out the message across the world that Pakistan is no more a no-go for foreigners — including those on the lookout for markets to make investment. The competition also promoted a soft image of Pakistan.
Amid all the confusion, one thing was missed out though. The trophy should have been given to the table topper — Multan Sultans.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 19th, 2020.
Amid the unprecedented global situation which is evolving very fast at home as well, the PSL was bound to become a casualty too. The fifth season of the PSL — completely played at home for the first time — had to come to an abrupt halt. The PCB first reduced the number of days of the cricket league while changing the format of the knockout leg of the event. But then the cricket board, in consultation with franchise owners and other stakeholders, had to “postpone [the competition] indefinitely”.
The PSL did come to an unceremonious end, but it has, indeed, done its job. The game of cricket was at its professional best during the tournament. Keen contests were witnessed among the six participating teams that were studded with top local and foreign players — something that certainly helped lift the standard of the game at home, apart from boosting the coffers of sportsmen and the cricket board.
Finishing just shy of three matches, the event turned out to be the country’s biggest sporting extravaganza graced by who’s who of the cricket world. The full hosting of the event in Pakistan, with the presence of foreign stars, successfully sent out the message across the world that Pakistan is no more a no-go for foreigners — including those on the lookout for markets to make investment. The competition also promoted a soft image of Pakistan.
Amid all the confusion, one thing was missed out though. The trophy should have been given to the table topper — Multan Sultans.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 19th, 2020.