ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has allowed 20 percent crowds to attend the Pakistan Super League 2021, which will be played in Karachi and Lahore from 20 February to 22 March.
The decision means around 7,500 ticketed spectators will be allowed access inside the National Stadium per match day, while around 5,500 will be able to attend each match day at the Gaddafi Stadium.
During the course of the event, the NCOC and the PCB will continue to work together and monitor the situation before a decision to increase crowd numbers for the three playoffs and the final is made.
The NCOC made the decision following a detailed and comprehensive briefing by the PCB officials in which they assured that the event organisers to strictly follow government COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) including social distancing.
The PCB will soon announce its ticketing policy to for enthusiastic fans to purchase tickets and the process to visit the venues during the matches.
PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani thanked the NCOC for trusting the cricket board and allowing limited fans to watch live action of the PSL.
“This is an endorsement that the PCB is an institution, which is capable of planning and then successfully implementing COVID-19 SOPs during its marquee event being staged in Pakistan for the second successive year,” he said.
“Fans are the PCB’s biggest asset and we are delighted that no matter a small number, but some will be able to have access to the matches. Their presence will add flavour and excitement to one of the biggest and most challenging leagues in the cricket calendar.”
“We understand not everyone will get an opportunity to watch the matches due to the limited number of seats, but these are baby-steps and considering that most of the sports events are being played in empty stadium, this is a positive achievement and step in the right direction”
He hoped to maintain strict protocols during PSL matches to have a strong case for more fans in the 2021-22 season in which Pakistan will host high-profile international teams such as New Zealand, England and West Indies.
