KEY |POINTS
- Tournament reduced from six cities to just Karachi and Lahore
- All matches to be played without spectators in attendance
- Opening ceremony cancelled to streamline operations
- Schedule remains unchanged, commencing March 26 as planned
LAHORE: In a major operational shift, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reduced the scale of the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season. The 11th edition of the franchise tournament will now be staged exclusively in Karachi and Lahore, without spectators amid government austerity drive.
The decision was announced by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi during a media briefing, following high-level discussions with franchise owners and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who holds the position of Patron-in-Chief.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi Press Conference with CEO PSL Salman Naseer at GSL Lahore
Watch Live: https://t.co/epXZXewtN2 pic.twitter.com/khFuatGabQ
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 22, 2026
Multicity plan abandoned
The initial vision for PSL 11 had envisioned a sprawling event across six major cities, including Multan, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore. However, the board has opted for a centralised model to streamline operations, consolidating all fixtures at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi and Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
In a bid to further reduce complexities, the board has also decided to cancel the traditional opening ceremony.
“We have been in consultations regarding the PSL for several days,” Naqvi explained. “While the duration of the current circumstances remains uncertain, moving forward with the PSL is crucial. It is an international brand with foreign players involved, and there is a strong consensus that the tournament must proceed.”
@nuktapakistan HBL PSL 11 will now take place only in Karachi & Lahore, behind closed doors until further notice due to the fuel crisis. The opening ceremony has also been cancelled, but the tournament will go ahead as scheduled from March 26. Fans will be refunded for their tickets, and the PCB has adjusted logistics to minimise team movement. Chairman Mohsin Naqvi says the priority is to ensure the HBL PSL continues smoothly despite the situation. #Nukta #NuktaPakistan #PCB #HBLPSL11
Schedule intact without spectators
Despite the logistical curtailment, Naqvi confirmed that the tournament’s start date remains unchanged. The first ball will be bowled on March 26 as originally planned.
“Delaying the PSL was not an option because there is no alternative window available later in the calendar,” he stated. “We have developed a revised schedule designed to minimise travel for the teams.”
Addressing the disappointment of cricket enthusiasts, Naqvi confirmed that the initial matches would be held behind closed doors. The PCB has initiated a refund process for those who had purchased tickets.
“We apologise to the fans for the inconvenience, and they will receive refunds for their tickets,” Naqvi said, adding that internal staffing adjustments were also being made. “Full-time PCB staff will not be attending the PSL, though part-time staff will be permitted to work with the teams.”
He concluded his remarks with an appeal for normalcy, noting that the cancellation of the opening ceremony would help cut costs.
PSL CEO Salman Naseer echoed the chairman’s sentiments, emphasising the unified desire to ensure the tournament goes ahead despite the challenges.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed that Pakistan Super League 11 will be held without crowds and without an opening ceremony, with the board set to accommodate franchises for financial losses.#ceremony #PSL #austerity #tickets #Refund #Cricket #PakistanTV… pic.twitter.com/9eUDwVd70x
— Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) March 22, 2026
Playoff structure and original host plans
According to the original schedule released prior to the revision, each team was slated to play ten matches, with the top four advancing to the playoffs. The knockout stage was designed to include a Qualifier, an Eliminator, a second Qualifier, and a final, which was originally set for May 3 at the Gaddafi Stadium, with May 4 serving as a reserve day.
The initial plan had envisioned a heavy concentration of matches in Lahore, with Gaddafi Stadium set to host 15 fixtures, the most among the six venues. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium was scheduled for 11 matches, while Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium was to host seven.
Under the original distribution, Karachi’s National Bank Stadium was to hold six matches, Multan Cricket Stadium four, and Peshawar’s Imran Khan Cricket Stadium just one, a day fixture on March 28 between the home side, Peshawar Zalmi, and Pindi.
