ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Monday that spectators will be allowed at all PSL 11 playoff matches following approval from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Earlier, the PCB had decided that only the final of PSL 11, scheduled to be played in front of a full crowd at Lahore on Sunday, May 3, 2026, would have spectators.
However, in a significant development, all three playoff matches as well as the final will now be played with public attendance.
Just had a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and I’m pleased to share that we have secured his approval for public attendance in all three PSL playoff matches as well.
However, this comes with an important condition from his side that fans are strongly encouraged to… pic.twitter.com/SXtyhrIBpF
— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) April 27, 2026
PM’s condition: Austerity and public transport
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday shared details of his meeting with the Prime Minister.
“Just had a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and I’m pleased to share that we have secured his approval for public attendance in all three PSL playoff matches as well,” Naqvi said.
However, he added that this approval comes with an important condition from the Prime Minister’s side: fans are strongly encouraged to use public transport or minimise fuel consumption while attending the matches, in line with the ongoing national austerity efforts.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐫, 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 🙌🏼
We welcome back our fans who have been with us on this journey.
𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐓𝐒 𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄… pic.twitter.com/O9pL3lWSxY
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 27, 2026
Naqvi further stated that the Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes to all four teams competing in the PSL playoffs, adding: “Looking forward to some exciting and entertaining cricket ahead.”
In a tweet, Naqvi explained the background of the decision: “Dear cricket fans, I requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to allow spectators in the stadiums. While he was also inclined to permit fans, he emphasised that austerity measures are currently in place across Pakistan, with efforts underway to minimise fuel consumption.”
The PCB chairman confirmed that the development followed consultations with the Prime Minister and other stakeholders.
The playoffs line up is final.
Karachi to host the Qualifier. Eliminators and Final to be played in Lahore.#HBLPSL11 | #NewEra pic.twitter.com/3eZiKoGijT
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 27, 2026
Cricket enthusiasts can now look forward to attending not just the final, but also all three playoff matches of PSL 11 with full crowd access, provided they follow the Prime Minister’s request to prioritise public transport and help conserve fuel in support of national austerity efforts.
