Islamabad, April 27, 2026: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved public attendance for all three playoff matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the development in a statement on Monday, saying the decision was taken after a 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 wrote on his official X account.
The approval comes two days after the premier had already allowed spectators for the tournament final following requests from franchise owners.
Earlier, the federal government had restricted crowd attendance for the ongoing eight-team tournament under austerity measures linked to a regional fuel crunch amid broader geopolitical tensions, including the US-Israel-Iran conflict escalation. As a result, 40 matches were played behind closed doors.
The tournament will now conclude with four remaining fixtures — a qualifier, two eliminators, and the final — all of which will have spectator access restored.
However, Naqvi said the approval comes with conditions. “Fans are strongly encouraged to use public transport or minimise fuel consumption while attending the matches, in line with national austerity efforts,” he noted.
He also conveyed the prime minister’s best wishes for all four teams competing in the playoffs, expressing hope for an exciting finish to the tournament.
The decision follows repeated appeals from franchise owners, who had urged authorities to reconsider the no-crowd policy, arguing that fan presence is central to the PSL’s atmosphere and identity.
Meanwhile, online ticket sales for the PSL 11 final have already begun, with physical tickets set to go on sale from Tuesday. The Pakistan Cricket Board is expected to announce further details regarding ticketing arrangements for the remaining matches in due course.
