Lahore, March 22 The PCB announced on Sunday that the initial stages of the Pakistan Super League will be held without spectators due to the tense situation in the region caused by the Iran-USA-Israel conflict.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, said that it had also been decided that the latest PSL edition will be restricted to two venues – Karachi and Lahore.
"The PSL is an international brand and our pride. So, the league will be held on schedule from March 26th, but no spectators will be allowed," Naqvi told a media conference here.
However, Naqvi, flanked by PSL CEO Salman Naseer, downplayed any security concerns about holding 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 also said that as part of the austerity measures, the board had cancelled the grand opening ceremony ahead of the PSL.
Naqvi said the board would try to compensate the eight franchises by paying them the estimated gate money at the already announced venues – Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Multan.
Naqvi also said that the PCB legal department will pursue the cases of cricketers who cancelled their PSL contracts to join the Indian Premier League.
"But you can see how top List A players are joining the PSL and that shows the growth of our league," he added.