Franchise owners from across the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL 11) have urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to allow spectators back into stadiums, as the ongoing 11th edition of the tournament continues behind closed doors.
The appeal comes after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that PSL 11 would be held without crowds and limited to just two venues, Karachi and Lahore.
The decision followed consultations with franchise owners and the Prime Minister, who serves as the league’s Patron-in-Chief.
As part of the revised plan, matches in cities like Multan, Peshawar, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi were scrapped, while the opening ceremony was also canceled. The tournament, however, began as scheduled on March 26, with early matches played in empty stadiums.
Naqvi explained that postponing the tournament was not a viable option due to scheduling constraints and the involvement of international players, adding that the new structure was designed to minimize team travel while ensuring the league goes ahead.
Despite these measures, franchise owners have voiced strong concerns over the absence of fans, emphasizing that crowd energy is central to the PSL experience. Salman Iqbal, owner of Karachi Kings, expressed disappointment over empty stands, stating that the league depends heavily on public participation and calling for fans to be allowed back.
As founding team owner who has been part of PSL since day one, it pains me to see empty stadiums.
I request the Honourable Prime Minister Shahbaz sharif @CMShehbaz to allow fans back into the stadium . @thePSLt20
Depends on public energy , so let the people be the part of the…
— Salman Iqbal ARY (@Salman_ARY) March 27, 2026
Similarly, Javed Afridi of Peshawar Zalmi highlighted the league’s role in uniting the nation, stressing that the passion and presence of supporters are essential to its identity.
The PSL is an inseparable part of the lives of millions of Pakistanis & a powerful source of unity for the entire nation. The passion, colours and presence of our fans are the true soul of this league without them, its spirit feels diminished.
I humbly request Hon’ble Prime…
— Javed Afridi (@JAfridi10) March 27, 2026
Atif Rana, representing Lahore Qalandars, echoed the sentiment, noting that PSL has evolved into a celebration driven by its fans, while Ahsan Tahir of Rawalpindiz emphasized that cricket cannot thrive without spectator support.
PSL has grown into a celebration of cricket, powered by its people. But without fans, it feels incomplete. The fans are the true spirit of the Pakistan Super League. We respectfully urge Honourable Prime Minister @CMShehbaz CM Maryam Nawaz @MaryamNSharif @thePSLt20
to allow…
— atifrana (@atifnaeemrana) March 27, 2026
There is no cricket without fans!
I humbly request the Honourable Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif @CMShehbaz to consider allowing fans back into stadiums for @thePSLt20 .
I believe, as a nation, those who can afford to attend step forward to support those who cannot, so that…
— Ahsan Tahir (@M_Ahsan_Tahir) March 27, 2026
Ali Naqvi, owner of Islamabad United, described fans as the heartbeat of the league and urged authorities to restore the true spirit of PSL by reopening stadiums.
The energy of its fans in the stadium has always been the heartbeat of the PSL.
The @thePSLt20 is not complete without its fans in the stadium.
We humbly request the Honourable Prime Minister @CMShehbaz to kindly allow fans back into the stadiums. Let the true spirit of the…
— Ali Naqvi (@AliNaqvi808) March 27, 2026
Adding to the calls, Fawad Sarwar of Hyderabad Kingsmen said the absence of crowd energy was deeply felt during his team’s opening match, urging the government to let stadiums come alive again with fan support.
Message from Team Owner, Mr. Fawad Sarwar:
We deeply missed the energy of the crowd in our first #HBLPSL game. While the teams bring the heat, it’s the fans in the stands who bring the passion and heart to @thePSLt20.
As the owner of a team proud to finally represent…
— Hyderabad Kingsmen (@HHKingsmen) March 27, 2026
While the PCB has confirmed that ticket holders will be refunded, franchise owners remain hopeful that authorities will reconsider the decision and allow spectators to return, restoring the atmosphere that has long defined the PSL.
View the full PSL 11 schedule with match timings, venues, and upcoming fixtures.
