Alex Hales develops coronavirus symptoms amid PSL shutdown
England cricketer Alex Hales is self-isolating after showing coronavirus symptoms. The top order batsman returned home from Pakistan a few days ago after being a part of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). On Tuesday, the PSL 2020 season was suspended for the time being. Meanwhile, Ramiz Raza claimed Hales might have shown symptoms before flying back midway through the PSL.
Hales, who played for Karachi Kings in the PSL, left early for home with other English players after the outbreak of the deadly virus in Pakistan. As per reports, all players, support staff, match officials, broadcasters and production crew involved in the PSL will now be tested for the virus. PCB CEO Wasim Khan also said a foreign player is suspected to have coronavirus.
Raja said it is unknown whether Hales has symptoms of coronavirus or not. "What I know is that he is yet to have tests but we don't know whether the symptoms he has is of Corona or not. But we all now need to be very cautious and obviously adopt a common sense approach to deal with this problem," Raja said.
Raja also felt that PCB made the right decision to postpone the event, which was to have its semi-finals on Tuesday in Lahore. "I think everything was going fine and matches were being held in empty stadiums but now situation has changed and I think if they had held the matches now it could have been a disaster," he said.
Hales had a productive season for the Karachi Kings and scored 239 runs at an average of 59 before he returned home. Besides Hales, other overseas stars such as Jason Roy, James Vince and Tymal Mills, also left early. Hales took to Twitter and stated on Monday, "Self-isolation begins... TV series to binge-watch please?!"
The PCB issued a statement on Tuesday which read, "The Pakistan Cricket Board today postponed the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 with immediate effect and the two semi-finals and the final will be rescheduled for a later date." "This decision was taken after a player, who had left Pakistan a few days ago, showed symptoms of COVID-19 and he will undergo screening shortly."
