PM Shehbaz allows spectators for PSL final: Naqvi

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to allow spectators into the stadium during the final match of the 11th Pakistan Super League (PSL), Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Saturday.

In a post on X, the PCB chairman said he had requested PM Shehbaz to allow spectators in the stadiums during the PSL 11 final.

“While he was also inclined to permit fans, he emphasised that austerity measures are currently in place across Pakistan, with efforts underway to minimise fuel consumption,” Naqvi said.

“However, on the request of franchise owners, he has graciously approved the presence of fans for the PSL 11 final.”

The PCB chairman thanked the premier for the decision to facilitate the fans.

This year’s PSL had initially been scheduled to be held across six venues — Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, Multan, Peshawar, and Faisalabad.

However, last month, it was announced that the tournament would go ahead sans spectators while matches would be held only in Karachi and Lahore in line with the government’s austerity drive, which was launched in the wake of the global fuel crisis triggered by the US-Israel’s war on Iran.

Islamabad United sealed a playoff berth with a commanding eight-wicket win at the National Bank Stadium on Friday night. The defeat dealt a significant blow to the Hyderabad Kingsmen’s net run rate, which could prove decisive in the tightly packed race for fourth place.

Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi has stayed firmly at the top with eight wins in nine games. Karachi Kings, after suffering their fifth loss in eight outings, lie at the seventh spot in the eight-team league.

The final match is scheduled for May 3 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.