One Pakistan Super League player tests positive for coronavirus

Another player and official in quarantine as tournament begins in Karachi on Saturday

Groundsmen finalise the arrangements for the first match of Pakistan Super League, which begins in Karachi on Saturday. AP

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) received some unfortunate news on the first day of action with one player has testing positive for coronavirus and another player and official quarantined after breaching protocols.

The sixth edition of the T20 league begins today in Karachi and runs until March 22. Lahore is the other venue for the league this year.

"A player from a franchise team who had shown symptoms and was in isolation has tested positive," the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.

"He will now remain in quarantine for 10 days and will require two negative tests in order to rejoin the side."

The identity of the player was not disclosed. Separately, a player and an official from another team were placed in a three-day quarantine after they came into contact with a person outside the league's bio-secure bubble on Friday.

"The two individuals will now require two negative tests during the three-day quarantine period before they can re-enter the bio-secure bubble in accordance with the re-entry protocols," the board said.

The PCB said it was disappointed with the carelessness shown.

"As reiterated previously, the health and safety of all individuals associated with PSL is of paramount importance to the PCB and the event," it said.

Crowds at 20 percent of capacity will be allowed to watch the matches under strict Covid-19 protocols.

In last year's league four matches had to be played without crowds in February before three play-offs and the final were cancelled after England player Alex Hales showed symptoms of Covid-19.

The matches were rescheduled to November with Karachi Kings winning the title.

Karachi play Quetta Gladiators in the opening match on Saturday.