The PCB had to curtail the national women’s championship in Karachi on Monday after five players had a close shave following a fire incident at the team hotel.

“Fortunately, no players were injured as the PCB promptly evacuated the five players in the hotel at the time of the incident and shifted them safely to the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre,” the PCB said in a statement.

The PCB tried to find alternative accommodation for the teams, but due to the Ideas Defense Exhibition being held in Karachi, they could not find a hotel. The board said the decision to cut the tournament short was taken with the health and safety of the players in mind.

“Furthermore, the unavailability of alternative accommodation to meet the approximately 100 rooms with the required standards contributed to this result,” the PCB statement said. “To decide the tournament winner, the PCB has decided that the Invincibles and Stars – the top two teams after four matches each – will face off in the final. The date and venue of the final will be announced in due course.”