The final phase of the Pakistan Super League has been rescheduled for November 14 to 17, and will be played in Lahore.
The competition’s organisers had discussed relocating the remaining matches to the UAE.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has instead opted to stage the matches on home soil, at the Gaddafi Stadium.
The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic caused the tournament to be suspended on March 17, after it had reached its knockout stage.
It will now be played out in its original format, in Lahore on November 14, 15 and 17.
The qualifier between Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings, and first eliminator, between Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi, will be a double-header.
Eliminator 2 will be played on the following day, with the event will conclude on Tuesday, November 17.
The window for the competition means it will be played between the end of the IPL in the UAE on November 10, and before the start of the Abu Dhabi T10, scheduled for November 19.
As such, it is unclear which overseas players will be available for which events. A number of players had been likely to feature in both the PSL and the T10 league.
Qalandars, the Lahore franchise who are in the PSL playoffs, also have a team in the T10 competition.
“The final four matches of the event will be played under Covid-19 protocols, including bio-secure bubble for the players, match officials and event-related staff,” a PSL statement said.
“The matches are currently planned to be held behind closed doors, though the situation will be closely monitored and will be reviewed in October.”
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Karachi Kings' Babar Azam was scheduled to play against Lahore Qalandars in the PSL semi-final in Lahore on Tuesday. AFP -
The semi-finals and final of PSL 2020 have been postponed. EPA -
PSL was the only cricketing event going on during the coronavirus outbreak. AP -
PSL organisers are looking to play the remaining matches at a later date. AP -
Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans were set to lock horns in PSL 2020 semi-finals on Tuesday in Lahore. AFP -
Peshawar Zalmi' Mohammad Amir, right, celebrates with captain Wahab Riaz after the dismissal of Multan Sultans' Ravi Bopara. AFP -
Zeeshan Ashraf of Multan Sultans guides the ball past Peshawar Zalimi's Kamran Akmal. AP
Pakistan's international players are just returning following weeks in a bio-secure bubble in England, which concluded with them halving the T20 series on Tuesday night.
“This announcement puts speculations to bed and provides absolute clarity and ample time for teams to plan and prepare for these crunch matches,” Wasim Khan, the PCB chief executive, said.
“It was important at this stage to state our intent and lock these dates in the diary in the best interest of the teams and the tournament.
“The PCB was always keen and committed to hosting the remaining four matches as it believed an event of the magnitude of the HBL Pakistan Super League deserved a winner.
“We saw the excitement and buzz in the lead up to the competition earlier this year and look forward to promotional activations that will engage the fans once again.
“The hosting of the remaining four HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 matches also endorses Pakistan’s resilience in overcoming difficulties and challenges no matter what the nature.
“PCB is planning to hold its 2020-21 domestic season, which will include a number of age-group, men and women competitions, as well as home international series against Zimbabwe and South Africa.”
