LAHORE: Fans will be sorely missed as the HBL Pakistan Super League enters its 11th edition behind closed doors, but the quality of cricket on the field will ensure an enjoyable contest, say Peshawar Zalmi all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed and Quetta Gladiators captain Saud Shakeel.
The tournament, which gets underway on Thursday, has been billed by organisers as the league’s “new era”, featuring eight teams for the first time after the addition of two new franchises and the introduction of a player auction and trade system.
The excitement, however, was dampened when the Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Sunday that all matches would be played without spectators at only two venues — Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and National Stadium in Karachi — instead of the originally planned six cities. The opening ceremony was also cancelled.
The decision was taken in line with the government’s austerity measures prompted by the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has led to restrictions on large public gatherings and movement across the country.
Almost all foreign players of the participating teams have arrived in Lahore, where the first leg comprising 14 matches, including three double-headers, will be held until April 6. The tournament will then shift to Karachi from April 8. From April 21 to 26, Lahore and Karachi will each host one group match per day. Karachi will stage the qualifier on April 28, while Lahore will hold the two eliminators on April 29 and May 1, and the final on May 3.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of his team’s practice session at the LCCA Ground on Tuesday, Iftikhar acknowledged the disappointment, particularly for Peshawar fans.
“Without the crowd, as players, we can’t enjoy it the same way,” he said. “But this is how it is now, so we have to enjoy it anyway.”
Iftikhar, who hails from Peshawar and is returning to represent the Zalmi for the second time, recalled the electric atmosphere during the recent National T20 Cup at the revamped Imran Khan Stadium.
“Peshawar people are huge cricket lovers. Believe me, during the National T20, the stadium was packed to the brim,” he said. “So many people were calling me — I got tired of answering calls: ‘When is the PSL match? How will it happen?’
“Look, there’s nothing we can do about it. This is government policy. In my opinion, they understand better, and their decision is right.”
Same passion on the field
Saud Shakeel, who led Quetta to the final last season, insisted that the players’ commitment would remain unchanged.
“Once we step onto the ground, the passion and energy for the match will remain exactly the same for us, whether fans are there or not,” he said. “But yes, we will definitely miss the fans. Their presence adds a different kind of excitement and energy.
“However, if we play good cricket and there is a strong contest, the fans will definitely enjoy it from home as well. So we can only request them to support the PSL by watching and cheering from home.”
The southpaw also spoke about the challenge of the expanded eight-team format, in which not every side will play each other twice.
“It’s a bit new for me as well because this is the first season with eight teams,” Saud said. “Now some teams you will play twice, and some only once. Let’s see how this season goes. Once it concludes, it will be much easier to understand these things from next year onwards.”
Emerging talent eye national breakthrough
Islamabad United’s young batting sensation Sameer Minhas, who impressed for Pakistan in the recent U19 Asia Cup and World Cup, described the PSL as a major opportunity to catch the selectors’ eye.
“PSL is a good opportunity for the players to attract the national selectors,” he said, adding that he would try to learn as much as possible from star team-mates such as Devon Conway and Mark Chapman.
Sameer noted that the addition of two new teams had made the competition even tougher. He said his focus was not limited to white-ball cricket but extended to red-ball as well, and vowed to give his best for the team regardless of whether he batted as an opener or in the middle order.
Momin Qamar, the left-arm wrist spinner who made his PSL debut for Lahore Qalandars last season and has now joined Multan Sultans, said all players were in good shape and ready to deliver.
“My first goal is for the team to win the title,” he said. For his personal development, he planned to learn as much as possible during the tournament.
Momin added that he had been closely watching South African left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi and drew inspiration from world-class spinners such as Adil Rashid and former Australian wrist-spinner Brad Hogg.
Meanwhile, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi hosted a function in honour of the foreign and local players on Monday night.
In his address, Mohsin offered a heartfelt apology to fans for not being able to welcome them into the stadiums.
“I want to apologise from the core of my heart for not allowing the fans to come to the stadium to watch the matches, in a campaign serving the national interest,” he said, according to a PCB press release.
Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2026
