ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced on Sunday that the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League will proceed without spectators, with matches restricted to Lahore and Karachi under the government’s austerity drive.
The tournament will begin on March 26 and feature eight teams competing in 44 matches. Initially, organizers planned six venues, including Rawalpindi, Multan, Peshawar, and Faisalabad. However, after consultations with authorities and security agencies, the PCB revised its plan. Naqvi stated that while the league would go ahead as scheduled, officials had to make difficult decisions.
Moreover, he explained that allowing large crowds would contradict national efforts to reduce fuel consumption. He noted that gatherings of 25,000 to 30,000 spectators conflicted with calls for restricted movement. Therefore, the PCB decided to hold matches behind closed doors until the crisis subsides.
In addition, the board cancelled the opening ceremony to minimize expenses. Naqvi assured franchises that the PCB would compensate financial losses caused by the absence of gate revenue. Meanwhile, he confirmed that limiting matches to two cities would further reduce travel and resource use.
He also apologized to fans in Peshawar for cancelling scheduled fixtures and promised refunds within 72 hours for purchased tickets. Furthermore, players are expected to arrive within days as preparations continue.
Naqvi emphasized that postponement was not feasible due to a tight international calendar. He added that the PCB consulted all franchises before finalizing the revised plan.
Separately, the government, led by Shehbaz Sharif, introduced austerity measures to address a fuel crisis linked to regional tensions. These include reduced fuel allowances, remote work policies, and public appeals for conservation.
