PSL to be held without spectators, opening ceremony cancelled:Dasun Shanaka set to ditch Lahore Qalandars, join Rajasthan Royals

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 will now be held without spectators at the stadiums due to the ongoing West Asia crisis. The tournament, originally set to be played at six venues, will now be held only in Lahore and Karachi. Additionally, the PSL 2026 opening ceremony has also been cancelled. The 11th edition of the tournament is slated to start on 26 March. This decision has been taken following the current situation, players withdrawing their names, and travel advisories from several countries. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that the decision was made after discussions with the Prime Minister and security agencies. PSL venues cut short to two, no fans allowed Naqvi made this announcement while addressing the press at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday, 22 March. Calling it a ‘difficult decision’, Naqvi shared that the government has advised limiting people’s movement in view of the current economic situation. In such a situation, bringing thousands of spectators to the grounds was not right, so it was decided to hold the matches in an empty stadium. “Looking at all of this and after discussions with our security agencies, we decided that the PSL would continue as per the original schedule. But we can’t ask people to restrict their movements and then have 30,000 people in stadiums every day. We decided that as long as this crisis is ongoing, we will not have crowds at matches. This was a difficult decision, but it needed to be made. The opening ceremony will also be cancelled,” he said. PSL 2026 originally was to be held in six venues Earlier, PSL matches were to be held in 6 cities, but now, to reduce travel and resources, it has been limited to only two cities. Matches scheduled in other cities, including Faisalabad, Peshawar and Rawalpindi, have been cancelled. Naqvi also apologised to the people of Peshawar and assured them of holding matches there in the future. The 11th season of PSL will begin on March 26 in Lahore. The first match will be played between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen. This time, a large number of foreign players, especially Australian cricketers, will participate in the tournament along with domestic players. PCB to compensate franchises, tickets to be refunded within 72 hours PCB will compensate the franchises for the losses incurred due to matches being played without spectators. Naqvi said that revenue from tickets is important for franchises, so the board will try to minimise this loss. All previously purchased tickets will be refunded within 72 hours. Naqvi also apologised to the fans for this. He also informed that all security arrangements are as per international standards and the process of players’ arrival has started. Franchises and sponsors have also supported the decision to hold the tournament. Islamabad and Lahore have three titles each In the history of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) from 2016 to 2025, Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars have been the most successful teams. Both have won the title 3 times each. Islamabad United won the trophy in 2016, 2018, and 2024, while Lahore Qalandars set a record by becoming champions in 2022, 2023, and 2025. Additionally, among the other teams, Multan Sultans, Quetta Gladiators, Karachi Kings, and Peshawar Zalmi have won the title once each. Multan won the trophy in 2021, Quetta in 2019, Karachi in 2020, and Peshawar in 2017. Dasun Shanaka set to snub PSL for IPL In other news, Sri Lanka T20I captain Dasun Shanaka is all set to join the Rajasthan Royals, snubbing his Lahore Qalandars’ contract. The all-rounder would join the 2008 IPL champions as a replacement for injured Sam Curran, who was ruled out of the season. Shanaka thus would become the second player to ditch the PSL and join the IPL this season after Blessing Muzarabani, who turned down a contract from Islamabad United to join the Kolkata Knight Riders. The 34-year-old Shanaka was signed by Lahore Qalandars for PKR 75 lakh (₹25 lakh) at the auction earlier this year. Shanaka reportedly informed Lahore Qalandars of his decision to opt out of the PSL.