PKL forced to reschedule Patna Pirates' matches due to COVID-19

The Pirates will not play their match on Saturday against Puneri Paltan.

The organizers of Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 8 have been forced to reschedule the matches of Patna Pirates due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the team's camp. Patna Pirates did not play their match against the Bengaluru Bulls on Thursday. This move from the team gathered suspicion after they rescheduled another fixture against Puneri Paltan, that was set to be played on 22nd January, Saturday.

The three-time former PKL winners are currently sitting in the third position on the points table. They are below Dabang Delhi and Bengaluru Bulls. Even after the departure of Pardeep Narwal, the Patna Pirates have had a decent season so far, with seven wins in 11 matches including a draw.

Bengaluru Bulls played against the Bengal Warriors after Patna Pirates pulled out on Thursday. The match between the Pirates and Bulls will be rescheduled. PKL has also rescheduled the match between Patna Pirates and Puneri Paltan.

COVID-19 crisis in the camp

Puneri Paltan will now battle against Bengaluru Bulls on 22nd January, Saturday. According to a source close to developments, "The rescheduling of both these matches have come at a pretty much unexpected time. However, it is believed that staff members or players from the Patna Pirates' camp have tested positive for COVID-19." There haven't been any official announcements from Patna Pirates or PKL on this matter so far.

"The organizers of the league have given enough time to Patna Pirates to solve this crisis. They wanted the team to come on the mat with all players fit and ready to go. However, their efforts were hammered when they got to know about a COVID-19 outbreak in another PKL team," the source added.

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Patna Pirates were playing exceptionally well in the eighth edition of the league till the crisis struck the camp. They had won four of their last five encounters. Returning from the setback, it will be interesting to see how the team performs in the later stages of the league.

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