Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday announced fans will be able to spectate the upcoming final for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 tournament at the stadium on the request of franchise owners.
In a posting on X, he said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had accepted a request to allow spectators at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, where the final for the ongoing cricket tournament is scheduled to take place on May 3. “Dear cricket fans, I requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to allow spectators in the stadiums. While he was also inclined to permit fans, he emphasized that austerity measures are currently in place across Pakistan, with efforts underway to minimize fuel consumption,” he said.
“However, on the request of franchise owners, he has graciously approved the presence of fans for the PSL 11 Final. I sincerely thank him for this decision and for facilitating the fans,” he added.
The government had banned spectators from viewing PSL 11 matches at stadiums as part of a resource conservation plan aimed at reducing the country’s fuel import amidst the Iran war and its related supply disruptions. The PCB had also restricted the matches to just Lahore and Karachi to reduce public movement.
However, the move had led to fan disenchantment, with franchise owners repeatedly urging the government to allow fans to attend matches.