Due to the current sensitive circumstances in the region brought on by the Iran-USA-Israel dispute, the PCB declared on Sunday that the initial stages of the Pakistan Super League will be played without spectators.
The latest PSL edition would only be held in Karachi and Lahore, according to Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
“The PSL is an international brand and our pride. So, the league will be held on schedule from 26th March but no spectators will be allowed,” PTI quoted Naqvi telling a media conference in Lahore.
But Naqvi, flanked by PSL CEO Salman Naseer, minimized any security worries about hosting the PSL in Pakistan.
“These decisions were taken because of the austerity measures announced by the government due to the situation in the region. I can tell you overseas players will start reaching Pakistan from tonight,” Naqvi said.
He added that the board had canceled the grand opening event before the PSL as part of the austerity measures.
According to Naqvi, the board would attempt to reimburse the eight franchises by giving them the anticipated gate money for the venues that have already been announced: Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, and Multan.
Naqvi added that cricketers who terminated their PSL contracts in order to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) will face legal action from the PCB legal department.
“But you can see how top List A players are joining the PSL and that shows the growth of our league,” he added.
