Karachi, Lahore to host PSL 11 without spectators: Mohsin Naqvi
By Nawaz Gohar ; The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finalised a restricted, two-city model for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), with all matches to be staged in Lahore and Karachi without spectators.
The move, confirmed by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, follows a series of closed-door consultations involving franchise stakeholders and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who serves as the board’s Patron-in-Chief. Officials familiar with the discussions described the decision as a ‘measured compromise’ between postponement and full-scale execution.
Originally envisioned as a six-city spectacle, PSL 11 has now been recalibrated into a tightly managed event. Insiders say the board prioritised operational certainty and player safety over expansion, particularly given the participation of overseas cricketers and the absence of a viable window later in the calendar. “We are dealing with a fluid situation, but the PSL cannot be put on hold indefinitely,” Naqvi said during a press conference held here at the PCB Headquarters on Sunday. “The objective is to deliver the tournament in a manner that is both responsible and sustainable.”
The league will begin on March 26 as scheduled, with a revised itinerary designed to significantly cut inter-city travel. PCB planners have clustered fixtures to reduce logistical strain, effectively creating a contained tournament environment across the two venues.
One of the most visible changes is the decision to hold matches behind closed doors, at least in the initial phase. While the absence of spectators marks a departure from the PSL’s traditionally vibrant atmosphere, officials insist it is a necessary precaution. The PCB has committed to issuing refunds to ticket holders, acknowledging the disappointment among fans.
Further adjustments underline the board’s cost-conscious approach. The opening ceremony, typically a high-profile curtain-raiser, has been scrapped, while staffing at venues will be kept to a minimum. Only essential and part-time personnel will be deployed to support teams and operations.
PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer indicated that consensus among franchises played a key role in shaping the outcome. “There was a clear understanding that the league must proceed, even if it means adapting to constraints,” he noted.
Despite the scaled-down format, the competitive structure remains intact. Each of the six teams will contest 10 league matches, with the top four advancing to the playoffs.
The final is scheduled for May 3 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, with a reserve day in place. While the revised plan lacks the geographic spread initially promised, PCB officials view it as a pragmatic solution, one that safeguards the league’s continuity while navigating an evolving landscape.
