Pace spearhead Mitchell McClenaghan, who plays for Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League, on Sunday left for home after the travel restrictions imposed by New Zealand amid the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe. The 33-year-old, fast bowler who also plays for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, is the latest player who joined the list of foreign players to leave the ongoing Pakistan Super League amid the concern of the novel coronavirus.
“Karachi Kings fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan will return to New Zealand following the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to provide an option to competing players to withdraw from the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League 2020,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.
The left-arm pacer, who plays for Karachi Kings, failed to take any wicket while playing against Multan Sultan in the only match that he played in the fifth edition of the competition.
“The PCB will facilitate McClenaghan’s safe return. Kings, as per the tournament’s regulations, are allowed a replacement for the fast bowler subject to Event Technical Committee’s approval,” PCB said.
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Foreign cricketers who had earlier withdrawn their names from the PSL due to the global COVID-19 pandemic are England’s Alex Hales, Jason Roy, Tymal Mills, Liam Dawson, Liam Livingstone, Lewis Gregory and James Vince, West Indian Carlos Braithwaite, South African Rilee Roussouw and James Foster (coach).
According to the rules, Mitchell McClenaghan was forced to return home after New Zealand had added a mandatory fourteen-day self-isolation for everyone whoever enters its borders from Australia after the midnight of Sunday. On the other hand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India decided to push back the starting date of IPL owing to coronavirus outbreak all over the country.
In India, there have been two deaths already reported and over 80 positive COVID-19 cases have been reported as well. Another option is to play behind closed doors as well where all the 60 games can be played in a shorter time frame too. COVID-19 has seen more than 5,000 deaths globally already.
