LAHORE – Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed two infectious disease experts as independent members of the two-person fact-finding panel that will review the bio-secure protocols as well as the bylaws that were put in place during the HBL Pakistan Super League 6.
Dr Syed Faisal Mahmood is an Associate Professor, Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University, while Dr Salma Muhammad Abbas is a Consultant Infectious Diseases and General Medicine with the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore.
The independent panel will submit its findings and recommendations to PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani by 31 March, the PCB said in a statement on Sunday.
The independent panel has been tasked to carry-out a holistic and detailed review of the Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures for the HBL Pakistan Super League 6, identify any gaps and advise as to the reasons why the bio-secure environment did not remain Covid-free.
PCB’s medical chief resigns after PSL 6 marred with COVID-19
According to the PCB Chairman, the Board takes the health and safety of its players, player support personnel and match officials seriously. “We have demonstrated our duty of care in the international series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, as well as during the nine domestic events in which we successfully staged 220 matches. This included the 34-match National T20 Cup in Multan and Rawalpindi as well as the first and second elevens Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and the Pakistan Cup in Karachi,” Ehsan Mani said.
“The independent panel of two distinguished experts has been appointed with the sole purpose of an honest, constructive and objective review.
“The independent panel will speak with all the relevant stakeholders, including the event and hotel staff, medical and compliance officers, team players and managements, so that we can get a better understanding how the cases occurred.
“The independent panel will make such recommendations as it considers appropriate,” he added.
Last Thursday, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 6 was delayed “with immediate effect” after seven people participating in the tournament had tested positive for Covid-19.
The PCB said the decision had been taken out of consideration for the health and wellbeing of all participants in the tournament.
“Following a meeting with the team owners and considering the health and wellbeing of all participants is paramount, the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to postpone the HBL Pakistan Super League 6 with immediate effect. The decision was made after seven cases were reported in the competition, which had started on 20 February,” the cricket body said in a press release.
