Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has criticised Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi’s statement about continuing HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) despite the global spread of coronavirus. The PSL season five had been postponed indefinitely after a meeting between PCB and PSL franchises on Tuesday. The decision was taken by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and PSL franchises, unanimously, after one foreign player was suspected with coronavirus. While speaking on a local news channel, Afridi had said that PSL could have been completed because the remaining matches were bound to happen in the next couple of days.

“I back the decision to postpone the league but on a personal note I was in favour of holding the remaining matches as well,” said Afridi. “While we were discussing this issue in meeting with other PSL franchises and PCB, I raised the point that it is just a matter of 48 hours, so let the PSL conclude in a better way.” Akhtar showcased his disappointment while responding on Afridi’s statement. “One of the team owners (Javed Afridi) is still saying that these remaining matches should also have taken place. Imagine if this outbreak had spread in the stadium, be it Karachi or Lahore.”

The Rawalpindi Express also slammed the PCB for delaying the decision to postpone the league. “Honestly it was a stupid mistake by the PCB to continue the league. Also I’m pretty sure that they would have kept it running if the case had not emerged,” said Akhtar. “When the coronavirus outbreak happened, we should not have messed up the situation and should have stood united with the entire world,” he added. “PCB was late about six days with regards to suspension of the league. Putting people at risk was not a sensible thing to do.” It must be noted that the PCB has suspended its all domestic competitions and cricket activities.