The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 will undergo significant changes in the wake of ongoing security concerns and the country’s escalating fuel crisis. Originally the tournament was planned in six cities – Multan, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore, now the tournament will be held only in Karachi and Lahore.
All matches will be played behind closed doors without fans present and the opening ceremony has been canceled to cut costs.
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The drastic measures followed disruptions to global oil supplies caused by the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel and Iran, which exacerbated fuel shortages in Pakistan. The country has already imposed restrictions on public movement, including school closures and work-from-home orders, to manage the crisis.
Also Read: Australian Cricketers Doubt About PSL 2026? PCB opens report on security concerns
Despite these challenges, the PCB has confirmed that the PSL will go ahead as per the original schedule, recognizing its importance as an international sporting event with foreign players and global viewership. However, given the current conditions, hosting large crowds in stadiums was considered impractical and dangerous.
“The prime minister has asked all of Pakistan to restrict their movement due to the fuel crisis,” said PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. “We have closed schools and introduced work from home and increased the number of Eid holidays. We don’t know how long this war will last.”
“Having considered all this and discussed with our security agencies, we have decided that the PSL will go ahead as per the original schedule. But we cannot ask people to restrict their movement and then have 30,000 people in the stadiums every day.”
PSL 2026 IN 2 CITIES ONLY
– Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that PSL XI will be played behind closed doors only in Karachi and Lahore due to petrol crisis. pic.twitter.com/hqM7kb8Itx—Abdullah. (@Abdullahh_56) March 22, 2026
“We have decided that as long as this crisis lasts, we will not have crowds at matches. It was a difficult decision but it had to be made. The opening ceremony will also be cancelled,” Naqvi added.
Earlier, Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore was scheduled to host the most matches with 15 matches, followed by Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium with 11. Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium was allotted seven matches, while the National Stadium in Karachi was scheduled to play six matches. Meanwhile, Multan Cricket Stadium was scheduled to host four matches.
The tournament was also scheduled to feature six double-headers, three of them at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The original format saw each of the six teams play 10 games in the league stage, with the top four advancing to the playoffs. The elimination phase was to include Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and the Final.
The title match was scheduled to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 3 May, with 4 May kept aside by the PCB as a reserve day for the summit clash.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
22 March 2026 16:35 IST
