PSL 2026 to be played behind closed doors due to crisis

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 will be played behind closed doors due to the ongoing fuel crisis and security concerns in the country. The tournament, which was initially scheduled to be held in six cities, will now take place only in Lahore and Karachi. The opening ceremony has also been cancelled. According to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the decision was made to prioritize national priorities and conserve resources. The PSL 2026 will feature eight teams, including two new teams, Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindi Pindiz, and will run from March 26 to May 3. The PCB will compensate franchise owners for the loss of revenue from gate receipts and refund ticket holders. Naqvi said the PCB would compensate the franchise owners for the loss of revenue resulting from empty crowds, the large majority of which goes to the franchises. He also promised to refund all those who had already bought tickets for the tournament. He apologised to the cities who would no longer get to host matches, especially Peshawar, which was scheduled to host one match on March 28, and promised that the PSL would be open to more venues the following year. "Because there are no crowds anyway, there was no reason to go to those cities. And we have to restrict our movements so resources are not wasted." The ongoing conflict in West Asia has led to a global oil crisis, severely impacting Pakistan's fuel supply, especially with disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, the Pakistan government has implemented restrictions, including school closures, work-from-home arrangements, and extended Eid holidays.PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that the government is unsure how long the crisis will last, leading to the decision to hold the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 behind closed doors in Lahore and Karachi.