Starting Thursday, the Pakistan Super League finds itself in the spotlight – but not for good reasons. Behind closed doors it will run, a move forced by fuel shortages tied to unrest in West Asia. Soon after, questions rose about board staff taking roles with PSL teams. Names like Sarfaraz Ahmed, once captain and selector, stirred debate. So did Wahab Riaz, linked now to the women’s setup. Unclear rules added to the murk. Confusion spread fast. The league stumbles before the first ball is even bowled.
Midway through the pre-match media session, David Warner – leading Karachi Kings – looked annoyed at the other team leaders. While he talked about his squad’s outlook, a few captains weren’t paying attention. Marnus Labuschagne from Hyderabad Kingsmen, Lahore Qalandars’ Shaheen Shah Afridi, Rawalpindi’s Mohammad Rizwan, and Quetta Gladiators’ Saud Shakeel were chatting among themselves. They laughed while Warner spoke. His frustration showed.
Warner stopped his answer and said: “What’s wrong? Sorry gentlemen, we have got school kids here.”
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Right now, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi says Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wants everyone in Pakistan to cut down on travel due to a shortage of fuel, ESPNcricinfo reports.
Fewer spots now host the games – only Lahore and Karachi remain after cutting down from six. Not long ago, plans included a kickoff event in Lahore, though that idea got dropped too.
Fanfare kicks off March 26 for the PSL, wrapping up its run by May 3. The last match lands on that date, closing the season.
Fuel shortages have sparked new restrictions across the country, Naqvi explained. Movement is being scaled back after the Prime Minister called on citizens to stay put when possible. Schools are shutting down – offices shifting tasks online instead. A longer break for Eid follows the same pattern of pause. Exactly how long the conflict will last? That detail still hangs in the air.
“The Prime Minister requested all of Pakistan to restrict their movements because of the fuel crisis. We closed schools and instituted work from home and increased the number of Eid holidays. We don’t know how long this war will last,” Naqvi said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo
