Ravi Bopara returns with a fifty before PSL postponed

Ravi Bopara returned to action in the Pakistan Super League with his second fifty in as many innings on Wednesday, but the tournament was subsequently postponed because of a series of positive coronavirus tests.

Having made a half-century in Peshawar Zalmi’s opening match of this edition of the PSL, Ravi had been absent for three games due to injury. He returned to the side against Karachi Kings and picked up where he had left off with from 58 from 40 balls as the Zalmi made 188 for 5 batting first. That wasn’t enough for victory, however, with the Kings reaching their target with six wickets and three deliveries to spare.

A second #HBLPSL6 fifty! ⚡️

58* for @RaviBopara in @PeshawarZalmi’s match against Karachi Kings! 🤩pic.twitter.com/WZCVE3GuVk

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) March 3, 2021

Sadly, Ravi will not have the chance to continue his fine form after it was announced on Thursday morning that the tournament has been suspended after seven coronavirus cases were reported.

In a media release, the Pakistan Cricket Board said: “Following a meeting with the team owners and considering that the health and wellbeing of all participants was paramount, the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to postpone the HBL Pakistan Super League 2021 with immediate effect. The decision was made after seven cases were reported in the competition, which had started on 20 February, which had resulted in situation which had become beyond the reasonable control of all stakeholders.

“The PCB, as an immediate step, will focus on the safe and secure passage of all participants, and arrange repeat PCR tests, vaccines and isolation facilities to the six participating sides.”

📢 HBL PSL 6 POSTPONED

PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan, Director – Commercial and Babar Hamid, will hold a media conference at the National Stadium at 3pm to provide further updates.

Read more:https://t.co/GM68WWmnT8

#HBLPSL6

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 4, 2021

Ravi, Phil Salt and David Wiese are the three Sussex players currently in Karachi for the tournament. Neither Phil or David have been in action since our last update from the PSL. Phil was not included in the Islamabad United side that beat Quetta Gladiators on Monday, while David Wiese's Lahore Qalandars weren't due to play - against Islamabad - until Thursday.