Pakistan Super League (PSL) is likely to get crowds back soon, sources say. The league was initially planned to be played across six venues. However, that was slashed to only two: Karachi and Lahore. Additionally, the competition was moved behind closed doors owing to fuel shortages enforced by the US-Iran War and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Why were fans not allowed?
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the league could not be postponed because of player availability issues. PSL had already given up its usual time window, in February-March, to the T20 World Cup, which forced the league to run concurrently with the Indian Premier League (IPL).
While the situation in the Middle East is still tense, the league is allowing the crowds back.
Franchises push for crowds
Earlier, several franchise owners, including Peshawar Zalmi’s Javed Afridi, Karachi Kings’ Salman Iqbal, Lahore Qalandars’ Atif Rana, Ahsan Tahir of Rawalpindiz, Fawad Sarwar of Hyderabad Kingsmen, and Ali Naqvi of Islamabad United, appealed to the Prime Minister of Pakistan to allow fans back into the stadiums.
Eight teams are a part of the competition for the first time, with Rawalpindiz and Hyderabad the debutants. Currently, Karachi Kings are at the top of the table, after they displaced Lahore Qalandars with a five-wicket win.
Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United will meet today at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, after a rest day on March 30.
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