Pakistan T20 cricket league to be held in empty stadiums amid oil crisis

Al Jazeera
March 22, 2026
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3 min read

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The Bottom Line

Pakistan's oil crisis forces the Pakistan Super League cricket tournament to operate without spectators at only two venues.

AI Summary

The Pakistan Super League will proceed as scheduled beginning March 26 but will be held in empty stadiums at only two venues due to an ongoing oil crisis in the country. The decision to eliminate spectators and consolidate venues represents a significant departure from the league's typical format, which normally draws large crowds across multiple cities. Pakistan's energy shortage has forced the cricket board to adopt emergency measures to keep the tournament running while reducing operational costs and strain on the nation's power grid. The PSL is one of Pakistan's most popular sporting events and a major revenue generator, making the crowd restrictions a notable economic blow to the league and participating franchises. The crisis underscores the broader challenges facing Pakistan's infrastructure as the country grapples with severe electricity shortages.

What's Being Done

Pakistan cricket board implementing emergency measures by consolidating venues and eliminating spectators to reduce costs and power strain.

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