PSL 2020 to carry on despite in absence of foreign players and the audience

Pakistan's Twenty20 league will continue despite closed stadiums and an exodus of foreign players who are heading home over the coronavirus crisis, cricketing authorities in the country said Friday.

On Thursday the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said upcoming matches would be played in an empty stadium in Karachi, and offered teams and individual players the option to withdraw from the league.

Many have done so, including Alex Hales (England) of the Karachi Kings; Rilee Rossouw (South Africa) and James Vince



(England) from the Multan Sultans; and Peshawar Zalmi's Tom Banton, Liam Dawson, coach James Foster, Lewis Gregory and Liam Livingstone (all from England).

In addition, Peshawar Zalmi's Carlos Brathwaite (West Indies) and the Quetta Gladiators' Jason Roy and Tymal Mills (both from England) will also leave.

"All players and support personnel have been given the option to withdraw from the PSL 2020 should they wish to do so," the PCB said in a statement, adding that no player had to date tested positive for coronavirus.