Fans to be allowed to attend playoff matches of Pakistan Super League cricket

TL;DR

Fans will be allowed to attend the remaining playoff matches of the Pakistan Super League after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved their attendance. This decision follows a request from franchise owners and aims to align with national austerity efforts.

Key points

Fans allowed for PSL playoff matches after government approval
Decision made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
Matches to be held in Lahore and Karachi
Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United in qualifier
Initial matches played without spectators due to fuel price crisis

Pakistan Super LeaguePeshawar ZalmiBabar AzamIslamabad United

FILE - A view of the Gaddafi Stadium, where opening cricket match of the Pakistan Super League between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen, is taking place without spectators, in Lahore, Pakistan, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) ISLAMABAD (AP) — Fans will be allowed to attend the remaining games of the Pakistan Super League after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday approved spectators for three playoff matches. It comes two days after Sharif approved a request from franchise owners to allow fans for the PSL’s May 3 final in Lahore. Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also interior minister in the government, announced the decision on social media after his meeting with Sharif in Islamabad. He wrote on X that Sharif wanted the fans to “use public transport or minimize fuel consumption while attending the matches, in line with the ongoing national austerity efforts.” Pakistan’s biggest sports spectacle of the year started behind closed doors late last month with fans asked to stay home because of soaring fuel prices related to the Iran war. Pakistan’s government had urged people to restrict travel and to work from home and Naqvi had said it wouldn’t be right to have 30,000 fans attending cricket matches every day while the government is asking the public to stay home. The PCB also reduced the number of PSL venues from six to two as part of austerity measures, but barred spectators from PSL games at Lahore and Karachi. Peshawar Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, will 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 May 1 for the second spot in the finale, with all three of those matches in Lahore. \\\_ AP cricket:

Q&A

What are the dates for the Pakistan Super League playoff matches?

The playoff matches are scheduled for May 1 and May 3, 2026.

Why were fans initially not allowed at Pakistan Super League matches?

Fans were initially barred due to government restrictions aimed at minimizing travel amid soaring fuel prices related to the Iran war.

Who is leading the Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL playoffs?

Babar Azam is leading the Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL playoffs.