Bureau Report
Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) for gradual, careful and phase-wise resumption of cricket activities across the country.
In the first phase, only the current Pakistan cricketers will be allowed to use the facilities at the National High-Performance Centre (NHPC) and will commence recreational cricket with strict adherence to government-issued protocols.
According to the PCB, the SOPs have been finalised with the help of Medical and Sports Sciences department to provide safe and secure environment to elite players to help them prepare for the upcoming cricket season, which begins on 30 September.
In the next phase, the PCB will announce protocols under which the domestic cricket competitions will be held. As Covid-19 is an evolving situation, the PCB will continue to monitor the situation and make amendments in the protocols as necessary.
Players who are eligible under the first phase of the NHPC reopening will have to book the time and facilities in advance through e-mails at nhpcbookings@pcb.com.pk. This is to ensure the appropriate standard social distancing protocols are observed, while also avoiding multiple use of the equipment until these are sterilised and ready for reuse.
Players are prohibited from bringing their helpers or assistants, while the use of net bowlers will have to be nominated and approved by the appropriate NHPC authority.
As part of international cricket playing conditions, players will not be allowed to use saliva during net practice.
The players will have to wear masks while arriving at the NHPC and undergo mandatory temperature checks at the entrance. The players will be required to walk through disinfection gates and train at their designated areas only.
PCB Director – High Performance, Nadeem Khan: “It was important that we produced these protocols so that our elite players can prepare for the upcoming season in the best possible and safest environment. I want to thank our medical team for preparing comprehensive protocols, which, we are confident, will ensure safety and security for the players.
“This is an unprecedented situation which continues to evolve. We are committed to monitoring the situation, while broadening our scope and opening doors for more players on the circuit as we move ahead.”
