PSL 2024: Low crowd turnout raising concerns for summit clash in Karachi

Multan Sultans, led by Mohammad Rizwan, continued their dominance in the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL), clinching a place in the final after a stunning seven-wicket victory over Peshawar Zalmi on Thursday, March 14. Notably, it marked their fourth consecutive final in the prestigious tournament.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere during the Qualifier match at the National Stadium, Karachi was notably subdued, with the absence of fans. Both sides shook hands against the backdrop of near-empty stands, which highlighted a concerning trend for the league. Notably, the absence of spectators in Karachi has been a persistent issue throughout the tournament, which has become even more noticeable with the onset of Ramzan.
 
As per a report in ESPNcricinfo, officials associated with the PSL have ruled out the prospect of relocating the remaining games from Karachi. It is important to note that the decision underscores the commitment to the tournament and the significance of Karachi as a main venue for the league.

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“We have moved to a home and away format and Karachi is home to the [Karachi] Kings and the [Quetta] Gladiators,” a senior official told ESPNcricinfo.

With Karachi Kings eliminated from the ongoing competition, the notion of relocating any of the remaining games from Karachi has been certainly discarded. The logistical hurdles involved in such a relocation are substantial to overcome, according to the officials. However, there were past instances of venue changes at short notice, mainly in 2019 when tensions between India and Pakistan witnessed the shift of the final phase of games from Lahore to Karachi.

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An official told ESPNcricinfo, that they are expecting an increased attendance at the remaining knockout matches. The organizing official also attributed the initial low numbers of fans partly to the challenges of observing the first few fasts of Ramzan. However, the difference in the crowd in the remaining knockout matches that are scheduled on consecutive days remains undecided, immediately following the first Qualifier, which is still within the first week of Ramzan.