‘Shukriya Pakistan’: PSL’s foreign players leave early due to coronavirus outbreak

With the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring the coronavirus to be a pandemic, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday decided to cut short the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 and hold the final match of the tournament on March 18 instead of March 23. 29 confirmed cases of coronavirus have been reported in Pakistan, while two patients have completely recovered.

According to a press release by the cricketing body, the playoff match has been replaced by the semi-finals, which will be held in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on March 17; one at 2 pm and the second at 7 pm. The final will also take place at the Gaddafi Stadium at 7 pm on March 18.

Read more – PCB allows foreign players to leave country amid coronavirus fears

The PCB also allowed foreign players to leave if they wished to and a couple of the players cut short their trip and headed back to their home countries. Among those who left included Karachi Kings, Alex Hales, Multan Sultans Rilee Rossouw and James Vince; Peshawar Zalmi’s Tom Banton, Carlos Brathwaite, Liam Dawson, Lewis Gregory and Liam Livingstone; Quetta Gladiators Jason Roy and Tymal Mills; and Islamabad United’s Colin Munro, Dale Steyn, Dawid Malan and Luke Ronchi.

As the foreign players headed back home, they took to social media to thank Pakistan and it’s people for their warmth and hospitality.

Unfortunately I will no longer be involved in @thePSLt20 5. It has been a privilege to represent @MultanSultans and to play/work with the special people there! Thank you Pakistan for your hospitality and for making PSL5 a unforgettable experience for me!

— Rilee Rossouw (@Rileerr) March 13, 2020

Thank you for a wonderful experience over the last 4 weeks. Playing in Pakistan in front of such passionate crowds has been incredible and the hospitality was first class. I look forward to watching us lift the trophy. Best of luck and hope to return in the future https://t.co/hjx1NEmhJu

— James Vince (@vincey14) March 13, 2020

@thePSLt20 you never disappoint!😊Thank you to @IsbUnited for making me feel at home out here, the people of pakistan for the support and the unbelievable work the security forces have done!! Good luck to the boys for the rest of the tournament, will be watching!#unitedwewin pic.twitter.com/taiRqZQzaQ

— Dawid Malan (@dmalan29) March 14, 2020

Thank you Pakistan and thank you @IsbUnited for an amazing experience , leaving was not an easy decision and something I thought about long and hard. Keep safe everyone

— Colin Munro (@manuz05) March 13, 2020

I want to say a massive thank you to @IsbUnited @thePSLt20 and the people of Pakistan for the past month of cricket, it was an amazing experience playing in front of you all, I enjoyed every minute of it #UnitedWeWin

— Luke Ronchi (@ronchi04) March 13, 2020

I really can’t believe it, but unfortunately I’m heading back home tonight.
I can’t thank the guys at @IsbUnited enough for your kind support, you’ve all been amazing.
To the fans, thank you, I hope to be back soon!
Stay healthy guys, wash your hands! 🤙

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) March 13, 2020

Thank you Pakistan and Zalmi for the fantastic hospitality over the last couple of weeks. Home time due to the virus- Stay safe, see you all soon!🙏 @thePSLt20 @PeshawarZalmi

— Tom Banton (@TBanton18) March 13, 2020

Thanks Pakistan for a memorable time. To my hosts @falamb3 @ZAbbasOfficial @AzharAli_ @uroojmumtazkhan and @mir_sana05 your passion for cricket and your country is infectious. I look forward to seeing you all soon. Stay safe. #HBLPSLV pic.twitter.com/RB6bMz0CkY

— Grant Elliott (@grantelliottnz) March 14, 2020

Meanwhile, Lahore Qalandars’ Ben Dunk and Quetta Gladiators’ Shane Watson said that they had no qualms staying in Pakistan.

Watson, while speaking to the media after the match, had said that if Pakistani players can play in Pakistan amid the coronavirus scare, then so can the foreign players.

"At the moment, with the current state of affairs i'm very comfortable to stay and play" – @bendunk51 at Press Conference today.

Tap on the link to watch full video: https://t.co/FRVtW7WkWv#DamaDamMast #MainHoonQalandar #DilSe #HBLPSL #CoronaVirusPakistan pic.twitter.com/evm3pBbMs5

— Lahore Qalandars (@lahoreqalandars) March 14, 2020