The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 will be played without fans in the stadiums. This decision has been taken due to the ongoing West Asia crisis.
Only two venues will host matches this season. Karachi and Lahore have been selected as the venues. Earlier, six cities were supposed to host games in Pakistan’s top T20 league.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also cancelled the opening ceremony. It was scheduled to take place in Lahore. The board has taken this step due to safety concerns and the ongoing situation.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said fans might be allowed later. However, that will depend on how the situation improves. “Perhaps it ends in 10 days, perhaps 15.”
PCB explains decision, warns players over IPL switch
The crisis has also led to a global oil shortage. Pakistan has been badly affected due to supply issues in the Strait of Hormuz. This has created a fuel crisis in the country.
“The Prime Minister requested all of Pakistan to restrict their movements because of the fuel crisis. We closed schools and instituted work from home and increased the number of Eid holidays. We don’t know how long this war will last. Looking at all of this and after discussions with our security agencies, we decided that the PSL would continue as per the original schedule,” Naqvi was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
“But we can’t ask people to restrict their movements and then have 30,000 people in stadiums every day. We decided that as long as this crisis is ongoing, we will not have crowds at matches. This was a difficult decision, but it needed to be made. The opening ceremony will also be cancelled,” he added.
Naqvi also warned players who skip PSL contracts for the IPL. Blessing Muzarabani has already joined Kolkata Knight Riders. Dasun Shanaka may also leave PSL to join Rajasthan Royals. Earlier, Corbin Bosch faced a one-year ban for a similar move.
PSL 2026 will begin on March 26 and end on May 3. IPL 2026 will start on March 28, with the final on May 31.
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