New Delhi, March 22: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set to commence on March 26, but due to the ongoing Gulf conflict, matches will only be held at two venues to conserve resources like fuel. Consequently, stadium doors will remain closed to spectators. This announcement was made on Sunday by Mohsin Naqvi, the head of Pakistan Cricket.
The decision followed an extensive meeting with the eight franchises and consultations with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. During a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi stated, “The Pakistan Super League will start on March 26 as scheduled, as we need to maintain its credibility. There is no other time available for rescheduling.”
Naqvi expressed regret to Peshawar fans who were looking forward to attending their first PSL match, hoping they would have more opportunities in the future.
To compensate for the loss of revenue from ticket sales due to the absence of fans, all franchises will receive financial support.
A new schedule for the PSL will be announced soon, featuring Lahore and Karachi as the only venues. The government is strictly controlling fuel supply, leading to the removal of Peshawar, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad from the schedule to reduce fuel consumption and save resources. The grand opening ceremony has also been canceled to conserve resources. Naqvi indicated that most international players are expected to arrive by Monday morning to prepare for the matches.
Previous reports from TelecomAsia Sports highlighted that foreign players, particularly Australians, faced challenges reaching Pakistan via the Gulf region. However, Naqvi has now presented a different perspective on this issue.
Notably, Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani and Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka have opted to join the IPL after signing contracts with PSL teams. Naqvi warned that any foreign players who either miss matches or abandon their PSL contracts for more lucrative IPL offers will face legal action.
Leave a Comment