The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced that the upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League will be played behind closed doors, with matches relocated to just two venues as part of national austerity measures.
The tournament, scheduled from March 26 to May 3, will now take place exclusively at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and National Bank Stadium in Karachi. Previously planned venues in Multan, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, and Faisalabad have been removed from the schedule.
The decision follows consultations with the Government of Pakistan and aligns with national resource conservation efforts triggered by the ongoing energy crisis linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
According to the PCB, hosting matches with full crowds—expected to average around 30,000 spectators per game—would have placed significant strain on energy resources, particularly due to travel and operational demands. As a result, the league has adopted a “revised operational plan†to ensure the tournament proceeds efficiently while supporting national priorities.
PSL CEO Salman Naseer emphasized that the changes are operational rather than structural, stating that the competition remains “fully on track†and will continue to deliver a high-quality broadcast experience for millions of viewers.
Despite the absence of fans in stadiums, more than 100,000 tickets were sold within the first 48 hours, underlining the league’s strong demand. A refund policy for ticket holders is expected to be announced soon.
Under the revised schedule, Lahore and Karachi will each host 22 matches, with Lahore staging the opening game, both eliminators, and the final.
The move highlights how external economic and geopolitical pressures can directly impact sports operations, even for one of the region’s most popular cricket leagues.