Pakistan allows spectators at remaining three PSL playoffs

ISLAMABAD: Spectators will be allowed to attend the remaining three Pakistan Super League (PSL) playoff matches, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Monday, urging fans to use public transport amid the country’s efforts to conserve fuel.

The decision was made during a meeting between Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, two days after the premier approved a request from franchise owners to allow spectators at the PSL final.

The government had barred fans from attending Pakistan’s biggest sports festival in March and relocated fixtures from Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, and Peshawar to Lahore and Karachi, as part of austerity measures aimed at conserving energy due to the Middle East war.

“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 said in a post on X.

“However, this comes with an important condition from his side that fans are strongly encouraged to use public transport or minimize fuel consumption while attending the matches, in line with the ongoing national austerity efforts.”

Pakistan not only barred spectators from attending PSL matches but also imposed sweeping austerity measures, including allowing remote work and offering free public transport, as global fuel prices surged amid the US war on Iran.

Peshawar Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, take on three-time champions Islamabad United in the qualifier at Karachi on Tuesday with the winner advancing to the final.

The loser faces the winner of Wednesday’s eliminator between first-timers Hyderabad Kingsmen and Multan Sultans on Friday for the second spot in the finale, with all three of those matches in