PSL to be played behind closed doors amid West Asia conflict, Naqvi issues apology to fans
New Delhi, March 22
The Pakistan Super League will begin as scheduled on March 26, but only at two venues, with no spectators, to conserve resources such as petrol amid the Gulf war, Pakistan cricket chief Mohsin Naqvi announced on Sunday.
The decision followed an extensive meeting with the eight franchises and a consultation with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
"Pakistan Super League will start as per schedule on March 26 as we have to safeguard its credibility and there was no window to stage it later," Naqvi said at a press conference in Lahore.
A new PSL schedule will soon be announced, featuring only two venues, Lahore and Karachi. Peshawar, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad have been removed from the schedule to reduce fuel consumption and conserve resources, as fuel is now tightly regulated by the government.
"I apologise to the fans of Peshawar who were due to watch the PSL matches for the first time and hope they get more matches next time," said Naqvi.
The high-profile opening ceremony has been cancelled to save more resources. Naqvi mentioned that most international players are expected to arrive early Monday to prepare for the matches.
Reports from Telecom Asia Sport previously indicated that foreign players, particularly Australians, faced difficulties in passing through the Gulf region to reach Pakistan. However, Naqvi now presents a different perspective.
Naqvi warned that he would pursue legal action against foreign players who either fail to show up or abandon their PSL contracts in favour of more lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) offers.
Blessing Muzarabani from Zimbabwe and Dasun Shanaka from Sri Lanka both joined the IPL after signing with PSL teams.
Naqvi also announced that all franchises will receive financial compensation for the loss of gate money caused by the absence of crowds.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Naqvi threatening legal action against players for choosing IPL is a bit rich. The IPL is a global premier tournament with massive visibility and security. Can't blame players for choosing career progression 🤷♀️. The compensation for franchises is a good move.
Feel really bad for the cricket lovers in Pakistan. Empty stadiums suck the soul out of the game. Hope the situation in the Gulf stabilizes soon so normal life can resume. Sports should be a unifying force, not a casualty of conflict.
The contrast with IPL is stark. Our tournament happens without a hitch, with full stadiums and top players. It shows which country offers better stability and infrastructure for sports. PSL organizers have my sympathy, it's a tough spot.
Prioritizing resources is correct. But cancelling the opening ceremony in Lahore/Karachi while the matches go on feels like an empty gesture. The real fuel saving would be to postpone or cancel the tournament entirely. This is a half-measure.
The apology to Peshawar fans is a nice touch, but actions speak louder than words. They better get those extra matches next season as promised! On a lighter note, at least we'll get to watch some cricket 🏏. Hope the players stay safe traveling.
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