PCB chair Mohsin Naqvi says every Pakistan Super League play-off this week will be open to supporters, a late U-turn that ends the tournament’s behind-closed-doors spell.
“Just had a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and I’m pleased to share that we have secured his approval for public attendance in all three PSL playoff matches as well,” Naqvi posted on X on Monday. “However, this comes with an important condition from his side that fans are strongly encouraged to use public transport or minimise fuel consumption while attending the matches, in line with the ongoing national austerity efforts.”
Key points first
• Qualifier: Peshawar Zalmi v Islamabad United, Karachi, Tuesday
• Eliminator 1: Multan Sultans v Hyderabad Kingsmen, Lahore, Wednesday
• Eliminator 2: loser of Qualifier v winner of Eliminator 1, Lahore, Friday
• Final: already cleared for spectators, Gaddafi Stadium, Sunday
Until today all league fixtures were staged in empty grounds, part of a government drive to curb petrol use during the West Asia crisis. The competition had also been trimmed to two venues, Lahore and Karachi, instead of the usual six-city caravan.
Naqvi’s latest green light lands barely 24 hours before the Qualifier, so the PCB’s operations team spent Monday thrashing out ticket prices, sales windows and extra security. One board official admitted the timetable is “tight but doable” and said mobile tickets may be preferred to printed versions to save time.
Players are quietly relieved. Several, speaking off the record, felt the silence in Karachi last week was “eerie” and robbed the league of its usual crackle. Coaches have similar views; one batting consultant pointed out that younger players learn to handle pressure better when real crowds are present.
The fuel caveat remains awkward. Karachi’s National Stadium sits next to one of the city’s bus hubs, yet Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium relies heavily on cars and rickshaws. Local police say shuttle services from park-and-ride sites are being considered, though final details were still missing late on Monday.
From a cricketing angle, the change may favour Zalmi and Sultans, both of whom generally travel with larger supporter bases. Islamabad United skipper Shadab Khan has brushed that aside, noting his side’s record in empty grounds is “actually pretty solid”, but even he conceded that “a bit of noise never hurts”.
A short turnaround, some logistical headaches, and perhaps a few empty seats because of the late notice—yet most fans seem happy simply to be let in. One Karachi season-ticket holder summed it up: “We’ve missed the music, the drums, the whole vibe. Whatever it takes, we’ll be there.”
