Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said that he will take up the issue of fan attendance at Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 directly with Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif during a visit to Karachi’s National Stadium for the match between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings.
Speaking to the media, Naqvi said that the demand from fans, particularly in Karachi, has been hard to ignore.
“I met PSL team owners and players today after quite some time. Many people, especially from Karachi, have been asking about allowing fans back. I will meet the Prime Minister again in the coming days and request him to consider the possibilities. However, we also have to look at the global situation, including the oil crisis, and make a balanced decision. I will definitely convey these concerns to the PM,” he said.
PSL 11 matches in Karachi and Lahore have so far been held behind closed doors due to government restrictions linked to the fuel crisis.
Earlier, reports suggested that authorities could allow spectators back in for the playoffs and the final.
Franchise owners have also pressed the case publicly, jointly urging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on social media to lift the ban on crowds for the remainder of the season.
PSL 11 runs from March 26 to May 3 and for the first time features eight teams competing for the title.
