Hundreds of fans in Karachi faced long lines due to a ticketing issue for the Pakistan Super League Qualifier match. The delay was caused by canceled flights that affected ticket distribution.
Key points
Fans waited in long lines due to ticketing issues
Ticket distribution was delayed by a canceled flight
Match was between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi
Tickets went on sale four hours before the match
Approximately 5,000 spectators were expected
Mentioned in this story
KarachiPakistan Cricket Board
Pakistan Super LeagueIslamabad UnitedPeshawar Zalmi
Fans cheer during the Pakistan Super League Qualifier cricket match between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, in Karachi, Pakistan, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ali Raza)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
A view of the National Stadium, where the Pakistan Super League Qualifier cricket match between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United is held with spectators, in Karachi, Pakistan, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ali Raza)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Fans cheer during the Pakistan Super League Qualifier cricket match between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, in Karachi, Pakistan, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ali Raza)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Fans show their tickets as they wait for the opening of the National Stadium for the Pakistan Super League Qualifier cricket match between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, in Karachi, Pakistan, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ali Raza)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Fans cheer during the Pakistan Super League Qualifier cricket match between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, in Karachi, Pakistan, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ali Raza)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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APTOPIX Pakistan Super League Spectators Return Cricket
Q&A
What caused the ticketing delay for the Pakistan Super League match?
The ticketing delay was caused by a canceled flight that prevented timely delivery of tickets from Lahore to Karachi.
How long did fans have to wait for tickets to the Pakistan Super League Qualifier?
Fans waited several hours for tickets, which went on sale just four hours before the match started.
Which teams played in the Pakistan Super League Qualifier match affected by the ticketing issue?
The match was between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi.
How many spectators were expected at the Pakistan Super League Qualifier in Karachi?
Around 5,000 spectators were expected to attend the qualifier match.
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Fans cheer during the Pakistan Super League Qualifier cricket match between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, in Karachi, Pakistan, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ali Raza)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Fans cheer during the Pakistan Super League Qualifier cricket match between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, in Karachi, Pakistan, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ali Raza)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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APTOPIX Pakistan Super League Spectators Return Cricket
A view of the National Stadium, where the Pakistan Super League Qualifier cricket match between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United is held with spectators, in Karachi, Pakistan, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ali Raza)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
3 / 5
Pakistan Super League Spectators Return Cricket
Fans cheer during the Pakistan Super League Qualifier cricket match between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, in Karachi, Pakistan, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ali Raza)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
4 / 5
Pakistan PSL Cricket
Fans show their tickets as they wait for the opening of the National Stadium for the Pakistan Super League Qualifier cricket match between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, in Karachi, Pakistan, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ali Raza)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
5 / 5
Pakistan Super League Spectators Return Cricket
Fans cheer during the Pakistan Super League Qualifier cricket match between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, in Karachi, Pakistan, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ali Raza)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) â Fans waited a month to watch Pakistan Super League games in person after the Twenty20 tournament was impacted by the Iran war.
They waited a few more hours Tuesday because of a ticketing problem.
A day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the return of fans to stadiums for the remaining four games of the countryâs premier cricket tournament, ticket distribution hit a snag.
âPrinting of tickets was done in Lahore and it was supposed to come to Karachi through cargo at 1 p.m., but the flight got canceled,â league CEO Salman Naseer told reporters.
So, hundreds of fans waited in line for several hours ahead of the first playoff match â between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi in the southern port city of Karachi â as tickets eventually arrived behind schedule.
âWe received lots of complaints, but the problem was that we got very short time," Naseer said. "Prior to this only the final was announced (for fans) and our whole focus was on Lahore.
"Passion of fans is there ⊠My only fear is that spectators will get the tickets, but they might not able to watch the complete game.â
Tickets went on sale four hours before the qualifier started and around 5,000 spectators were inside the National Bank Stadium when Islamabad captain Shadab Khan won the toss and elected to field against Peshawar, led by Babar Azam.
âI came here to support Peshawar Zalmi, especially Babar bhai (brother),â said Jawad Ahmed as he waited in a long queue to get his ticket. âHad we got more matches in Karachi, we could have got more opportunities to see players in action. Now they have allowed one game, but you can see our excitement. The rush is in front of you.â
And Babar didn't disappoint Peshawar fans. He hit an aggressive 103 off 59 balls, including 12 fours and four sixes, in his team's total of 221-7. It was Babar's second century this season.
Pakistanâs biggest sports spectacle had started behind closed doors with fans asked to stay home because of soaring fuel prices related to the Iran war.
The government had urged people to restrict travel. The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi also said it wouldnât be right to have 30,000 fans attending cricket matches every day while the government is asking the public to stay home.
Permission for spectators at all four playoff games came just 24 hours before the qualifier between Peshawar and Islamabad started. The winner will advance to the final in Lahore next Sunday.
Last week, Sharif approved a request from franchise owners to open the doors to the final before giving approval to the remaining three playoff games on Monday.
The loser of Mondayâs qualifier faces the winner of Wednesdayâs eliminator between Hyderabad Kingsmen and Multan Sultans on Friday for the second spot in the final, with all three of those matches in Lahore.
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AP cricket:
