LAHORE: Finally, there is some refreshing news for cricket fans who earlier were not allowed to watch the Pakistan Super League action at the stadiums.

The matches of PSL-11 are being held behind closed doors — in Karachi and Lahore — due to the government’s austerity measures taken in the wake of the surge in oil prices amid the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran.

Fans, however, have now been permitted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to witness the all-important PSL final here at the Gaddafi Stadium on May 3.

According to Pakistan Cricket board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the PM, on the request of the franchise owners, took the decision.

“Dear cricket fans, I requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to allow spectators in the stadiums [for PSL]. While he was also inclined to permit fans, he emphasised that austerity measures are currently in place across Pakistan, with efforts underway to minimise fuel consumption,” Mohsin said in a message shared on X his account early Saturday morning.

“However, on the request of [the] franchise owners, he has graciously approved the presence of fans for the PSL 11 Final. I sincerely thank him for this decision and for facilitating the fans.”

The announcement thrilled fans but made them concerned too, as buying tickets for a high-profile match like PSL final was a gigantic task.

“I did not miss any PSL staged in Lahore. [Therefore], I am passionate to watch the final but it is not easy to get the tickets because the 24,000-capacity stadium cannot handle the expected response from the crowd,” Mohammad Usman, a diehard fan, told Dawn soon after the announcement made by the PM.

A PCB official on the condition of anonymity said that there was great pressure on the PCB to allow fans from the franchises as well as from general public from the outset but due to the austerity campaign it did not happen.It has emerged that the PCB is considering keeping normal price for the general stands and charging more for the VVIP boxes.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026