PCB confirm eight Covid cases within Pakistan Super League bubble

As per the competition's bio-security guidelines, all eight individuals have gone into mandatory isolation and will only be allowed out from January 24, providing they have submitted two negative tests

Eight positive Covid-19 cases have been identified in the Pakistan Super League bubble, six days before the competition is due to get under way.

A routine round of testing on Friday highlighted three players and five members of support staff carrying infections.

As per the competition's bio-security guidelines, all eight individuals have gone into mandatory isolation and will only be allowed out from January 24, providing they have submitted two negative tests.

"PCB remains committed to creating a safe and secure environment for all participants so that they can play and perform to the best of their abilities," tournament director Salman Naseer said in a statement.

"In the environment that we presently live in, there will be positive cases, but we have robust health and safety plans to ensure the event is played and concluded in the window."

^{The PSL was suspended in March last year because of a Covid outbreak}

The PCB is well aware of the devastating potential impact of Covid outbreaks within franchise bubbles, with the PSL6 season having to be prematurely cut off last March and finished in June after the virus found its way into team hotels.

More stringent and more regular testing protocols have been introduced for PSL7 to try to prevent a similar situation arising.

The expansion of squads to 20 players, and the provision of a pool of short-term replacement players, should in theory allowed teams to fulfil fixture obligations even if several cases occur within one franchise.

The tournament is due to start on January 27, with matches taking place in Lahore and Karachi.

The final is scheduled for February 27.