KARACHI (Kashmir English): Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said that he would consult Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif again on allowing spectators during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.
“I will again speak to the PM regarding the crowd,” Naqvi told the media in Karachi on Monday, adding the PCB would make every effort to bring spectators back to the stadium.
However, Naqvi stressed the need to also consider ongoing global crisis stemming from the Middle East conflict before making a decision.
PSL 11
Currently, the PSL matches are being held without spectators as part of the government’s austerity measures amid the ongoing regional crisis.
At the time, Naqvi announced limiting the tournament to two venues, Karachi and Lahore – a decision aimed to reduce public movement.
The decision followed the government’s wide-ranging austerity and savings plans to deal with the prevailing global fuel crisis triggered by the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran.
In subsequent days, several franchise owners called for the return of spectators, emphasising that fan presence was integral to the league’s identity.
They appealed to both the PM and the chief ministers to permit fans in stadiums during the ongoing edition.
The PCB chairman said that the board would compensate franchises regarding the gate money.
