PM Shehbaz approves attendance of spectators for HBL PSL playoff matches: Naqvi

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif gave permission for spectators to attend HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 playoff matches.

In a post on X, Naqvi said: “I just had a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz and I am happy to share that we have secured his approval for public participation in all three PSL playoff matches.”

However, he said this came with an important condition from the Premier’s side that fans were strongly encouraged to use public transport or minimize fuel consumption while attending matches in line with government austerity measures,

Naqvi added that Prime Minister Shehbaz conveyed his best wishes to the four teams participating in the playoffs. “We look forward to some exciting and entertaining cricket ahead,” he said.

The decision came two days after Prime Minister Shehbaz allowed spectators to watch the final of HBL PSL 11 at the stadium following a request from franchise owners.

Read: PSL starts without spectators, matches limited to Karachi, Lahore

Last month, Naqvi announced that the PSL would be held without spectators amid government austerity measures due to the ongoing regional situation that has affected fuel supplies. He further restricted the fighting to Lahore and Karachi to minimize movement in the face of the energy crisis. The PCB chief also canceled the opening ceremony.

Both federal and provincial governments have since introduced a series of austerity measures, including an extra weekly holiday, cuts to free petrol allocations for ministers, restrictions on protocol vehicles and proposals for subsidized fuel for students.