Cricket news round-up – March 18: PSL knockout matches postponed, Hales confirms Coronavirus symptoms

The knockout matches of the 2020 PSL have been postponed indefinitely; Alex Hales isolated himself on medical advice; and Sheikh Jamal, Shinepukur, and Prime Bank won their respective matches at the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, following which the subsequent matches have been postponed till at least March 31.

PSL knockouts postponed

The first semi-final of the PSL, between Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi, was scheduled for the afternoon, following which Karachi Kings would have faced Lahore Qalandars for the second semi-final.

Hours before the first semi-final, however, the PCB announced the postponement of the rest of the tournament to take further precautions against the Coronavirus pandemic.

The PSL had already lost fourteen overseas cricketers and a coach following the breakout. The tournament had been curtailed by one match and four days.

Hales confirms Coronavirus symptoms, no test yet

Alex Hales informed his Instagram followers on having developed COVID-19 symptoms – fever and a persistent dry cough. Following this, he self-isolated himself as per the medical advice.

Hales, who was playing for Karachi Kings in the 2020 PSL, left Pakistan along with thirteen other cricketers on March 13.

Sheikh Jamal win convincingly

Fifties from Shykat Ali (83 in 79 balls), Nasir Hossain (56), and Nurul Hasan (58) helped Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club beat Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity by 55 runs in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League.

Asked to bat, Sheikh Jamal put up 276/9 before Sohrawardi Shuvo (2/26), Elias Sunny (2/35), and Salauddin Sakil (2/36) helped restrict Khelaghar to 221/9.

Prime Bank win a close match

Elsewhere, Prime Bank Cricket Club beat Gazi Group by 9 runs. Asked to bat, Prime Bank reached 251/6 thanks to an unbroken 96-run seventh-wicket stand between Nahidul Islam (53* in 43 balls) and Alok Kapali (46* in 36). Earlier in the innings, Rony Talukdar had got a 104-ball 79.

Nahidul (2/30), Kapali (2/32), and Mustafizur Rahman (2/42) then reduced Gazi Group to 180/8 before some violent hitting from Mahedi Hasan (56* in 49) took them to 242/9.

Shinepukur chase one down

Shinepukur Cricket Club lost 5 wickets to chase down 258 to beat Mohammedan Sporting Club in the third match of the day. The chase, executed with 3 balls to spare, was led by Tanzid Hasan (59), Robiul Islam (54), Towhid Hridoy (50), and Mahidul Islam Ankon (49).

Earlier in the day, Tanvir Islam (2/44) and Mohor Sheikh (2/46) restricted Mohammedan to 257/8 after they opted to bat.

Dhaka Premier League postponed

Following the three matches of the second round, as mentioned above, the BCB decided to postpone the rest of the tournament till at least the end of March.

Abahani Limited, Old Defence Officers Housing Society Sports Club, and Prime Doleshwar Sports Club had won their respective matches in the first round, against Partex Sporting Club, Legends of Rupganj, and Brothers Union respectively.