After weeks of waiting, cricket fans in Pakistan have been given the opportunity to watch their premier T20 competition in person with the government allowing fans back in the stadium for the Pakistan Super League.
Interior Minister and cricket board chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced that the PSL play-off matches, including the final that is scheduled to take place in Lahore on Sunday, will be played in front of fans.
The entire tournament had been restricted to two venues - Karachi and Lahore - behind closed doors in line with the austerity measures in place in the country owing to the ongoing fuel and resource crisis.
However, following the opening weekend itself, PSL franchise owners started demanding a return of fans to the venues, especially those near the venue. Neighbouring India kept the IPL open to public throughout this period.
Now, after much deliberation, PSL organisers have convinced the government to allow fans to attend the remaining four matches at the National Stadium in Karachi and Lahore’s Qaddafi Stadium.
Tickets for the PSL 2026 final went on sale from Monday - available on Pakistan board's website pcb.com.pk.
"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," chairman Naqvi said in a social media post on Monday.
"However, this comes with an important condition that fans are strongly encouraged to use public transport or minimise fuel consumption while attending the matches, in line with the ongoing national austerity efforts."
Tickets for the final begin at 1,500 Pakistan rupees ($5) and go up to 12,000 rupees ($43) for gallery.
The PSL league phase is drawing to a close. Table toppers Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United are through to the play-offs, along with Multan Sultans and new franchise Hyderabad Kingsmen.
In the first qualifier on Tuesday, Islamabad take on Peshawar while on the following day, Multan and Hyderabad clash in an eliminator.
