Pakistan and Quetta Gladiators right-arm pacer Naseem Shah has expressed regret at missing out on Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 6 remainder due to laxity in following Covid-19 norms.
Shah, 18, has been expelled from the remainder of the tournament, scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi, for breaching the tournament’s COVID-19 protocols.
“I cannot express in words how I feel right now. I want to play cricket as it [playing cricket] is my life,” Shah said in a tweet, expressing regret after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) dropped him from the league.
“I abide by all instructions conveyed to us through the group. I do not know how I missed that particular message,” he added.
Shah will now not be travelling to Abu Dhabi on May 26 and is now out of the competition.
As per the Covid-19 protocols for the PSL 6 remainder, all those traveling through chartered flights from Karachi and Lahore were asked to arrive at their respective team hotels in Karachi and Lahore on May 24 with negative reports of PCR tests taken not more than 48 hours prior to arrival at the hotel.
However, Shah presented a PCR report from a test that was conducted on May 18.
Commenting on the incident, Babar Hamid, head of PSL 6, said: “The PCB doesn’t take any pride in releasing a young fast bowler from its marquee event but if we will ignore this breach, then we will potentially put at risk the entire event. We appreciate Quetta Gladiators for accepting this decision as it confirms we are all aligned to strictly following and implementing the protocols.”
“This decision will also send out a loud and clear message to all involved in the remaining matches that the PCB will not compromise on any violations and will expel the player or player support personnel irrespective of his stature,” he added.
Earlier, the sixth edition of the tournament was indefinately postponed on March 4 after several Covid-19 positive cases emerged.
Also on Monday, all-rounder Shahid Afridi of Multan Sultans was ruled out of the remainder due to a back injury.