The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will take every possible measure to ensure a dengue free National Twenty20 Championship,which has engulfed the Punjab province affecting more than 4,000 lives. The government has declared an emergency to deal with the epidemic which has so far seen more than 4,000 patients being admitted to various hospitals across the state. A board official informed that PCB was constantly in touch with the provincial health department and its own medical panel to chalk out appropriate and preventive measures to ensure that the upcoming tournament was not affected by the virus. We are already carrying out a daily spray of the Gaddafi stadium and its surrounding areas while during the tournament itself this will be a regular routine to safeguard the players,officials,media and those who come to watch the matches, he said. The source,however,revealed that the PCB had not discounted the possibility of delaying the event for a week or so or even shifting it to another venue if the epidemic spreads in the next 10 days. Pakistan team has a busy schedule from mid-October onwards and if the situation turns worse in Lahore then I don't think the board will take a risk at this end, he said. The tournament scheduled to commence from September 25 at Gaddafi stadium will see some of the top cricketers in action and is expected to attract a huge crowd. The source,meanwhile,also pointed out that the board was already liasoning with the security and law enforcement agencies to ensure a strong security cover for the tournament.
