- Approval follows earlier clearance for PSL final attendance.
- Franchise owners pushed for reversal of no-crowd policy.
- Online sale of tournament’s final tickets goes live today.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced on Monday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif granted approval for public attendance in all three playoff matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.
“Just had a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and I’m pleased to share that we have secured his approval for public attendance in all three PSL playoff matches as well,” Naqvi wrote on his official X handle.
The development comes two days after the premier had already approved spectator presence for the tournament final following a request from franchise owners.
The federal government had earlier restricted crowd attendance for the ongoing eight-team tournament under austerity measures, aiming to conserve resources amid the regional fuel crisis linked to the US-Israel-Iran conflict.
Under this arrangement, 40 matches were held without spectators, with the tournament now set to conclude with just four remaining fixtures, including a qualifier, two eliminators, and the final.
However, Naqvi cautioned that the permission “comes with an important condition from his side that fans are strongly encouraged to use public transport or minimise fuel consumption while attending the matches, in line with the ongoing national austerity efforts”.
“He [PM Shehbaz] also conveyed his best wishes to all four teams competing in the PSL playoffs. Looking forward to some exciting and entertaining cricket ahead,” Naqvi added.
The decision to allow spectators came after several franchise owners publicly urged the government to reconsider the no-crowd policy, arguing the league felt incomplete without fans and that spectator presence was central to the tournament’s atmosphere and identity.
Some franchise representatives had appealed directly to the premier, as well as provincial chief ministers, to permit crowds during the ongoing edition.
Meanwhile, the online sale of the PSL 11 final tickets went live today, with physical sale slated to commence on Tuesday.
With fans now allowed for all the remaining four matches of the eight-team tournament, the PCB has yet to share the ticketing details.
