Pakistan Super League to have 20 per cent capacity crowds

Sixth edition of T20 tournament begins in Karachi from February 20

Fans are set to return to the Pakistan Super League. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Spectators will be allowed to attend matches in Pakistan this month for the first time in the coronavirus pandemic.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said on Thursday it has received permission from the government to allow 20 per cent attendance at Pakistan Super League games.

“The decision means around 7,500 ticketed spectators will be allowed access inside the National Stadium [in Karachi] per match day, while around 5,500 will be able to attend each match day at the Gaddafi Stadium [in Lahore],” the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement.

The sixth edition of PSL begins on February 20 with Karachi hosting the first 20 games before the Twenty20 competition moves to Lahore, which hosts the remaining 14 matches, including the final on March 22.

Last March, when the pandemic was shutting down global sports, four PSL matches were held in closed stadiums and the playoffs in Lahore postponed to November in an empty National Stadium in Karachi.

“These are baby steps and, considering that most sport events are being played in empty stadiums, this is a positive achievement,” PCB chairman Ehsan Mani said.

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PSL 2020 team of the tournament