LAHORE: In a high-stakes move to save the “soul” of Pakistan’s premier cricket tournament, Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi and fellow franchise heads have formally appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to reconsider the blanket ban on spectators for the ongoing 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The appeal comes just 48 hours after the tournament commenced in eerily quiet stadiums in Lahore and Karachi.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had previously announced that the entire 2026 season would be played behind closed doors, citing a “triple threat” of a national fuel crisis, regional security concerns, and government-mandated austerity measures.
Taking to social media to voice the collective concern of the franchises, Javed Afridi argued that while the league’s international status remains intact, the lack of crowd energy has stripped the event of its cultural significance.
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
“PSL is not just a cricket tournament; it is a national festival that belongs to the people of Pakistan,” Afridi stated. “To play in empty stadiums during such a landmark year—with the addition of new teams and an expanded format—feels like a missed opportunity to provide the public with a much-needed morale boost.”
Sources indicate that other influential owners, including Karachi Kings’ Salman Iqbal and Lahore Qalandars’ Atif Rana, have backed the move, suggesting a “phased return” of fans, perhaps starting with 25% capacity for the playoffs and the final scheduled for May 3.
The PCB’s decision, spearheaded by Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, was largely a response to the “Austerity Drive” triggered by the West Asia conflict. With the government shutting schools and implementing work-from-home protocols to conserve fuel, Naqvi argued it was “morally inconsistent” to encourage 30,000 people to travel to stadiums daily.
“We cannot ask the common man to restrict their movement to save petrol and then host massive public gatherings,” Naqvi had explained during a pre-tournament presser.
While the PCB has committed to compensating franchises for the loss of “gate money”—the revenue generated from ticket sales—the owners remain wary. For the franchises, the value of the PSL lies in the “Yellow Storm” or “Qalandar City” atmospheres that drive sponsorship deals and global broadcast interest. Not just that but the 2026 season was meant to be historic, with the league expanding to eight teams (introducing the Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindiz) and an inaugural match originally planned for Peshawar.
The Prime Minister’s Office has yet to issue a formal response. However, insiders in Islamabad suggest that the government is weighing the logistical costs of security and transport against the public’s desire for the “national brand” to be celebrated in full.
