Pakistan Super League knockout phase shortened amid coronavirus outbreak

Islamabad, March 13:  The Pakistan Super League will be holding a two-day knockout as opposed to a four-day playoff as it copes with the global impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

"The decision means the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 will be reduced by four days and there will now be 33 matches as opposed to 34," a PCB statement said.

"According to the revised schedule, the 17 March semi-finals will be double-headers and will be held at the Gaddafi Stadium with the table-toppers going head to head with the fourth-placed side at 2 p.m. This match will be followed by the second semi-final, which will begin at 7 p.m. between the second and third-placed sides.

"The final will be played on 18 March and will start at 7pm. All these changes have been made with the consultation of the team owners."

The decision comes in the wake of foreign players leaving Pakistan amid the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. ESPNCricinfo reports that among the players who have left their PSL teams are Peshawar Zalmi's Tom Banton, Liam Livingstone, Lewis Gregory, Carlos Brathwaite, Liam Dawson and coach James Foster, Multan Sultans' James Vince, Rilee Rossouw, and Jason Roy, Karachi Kings' Alex Hales and Tymal Mills of Quetta Gladiators.