Silence in a cricket field is not common in a league which prides itself on high levels of intensity in play. Steve Smith, an experienced cricketer from Australia, has recently aired similar sentiments about the silence witnessed inside a cricket field at PSL 2026. Although he was happy playing his first-ever match for Multan Sultans in the competition, Smith expressed dissatisfaction about the empty stands. According to him, the presence of crowds adds to the beauty of the game, adding that it is ‘a shame’ the stands are empty. He added that despite loving his hosts, Smith felt that something was missing.
Smith spoke up amid a tournament which is currently taking place without spectators. This has been occasioned by security issues in the country; hence, the priority was ensuring that the players’ lives were safe. However, there has been a change in the atmosphere of the games, something that players rely on a lot.
Steve Smith was visibly disappointed with lack of crowds, on which he shared thoughts, “It’s a shame that we haven’t crowds. It’ll be cool to play in front of some packed stands, that’s why we love playing cricket.”
Empty Stands, Loud Questions
One thing which has attracted significant attention regarding PSL 2026 is the lack of spectators. Only certain stadiums have allowed matches to be played, with stringent regulations enforced. Consequently, no crowd has been present at Karachi or Lahore’s stadiums during this period. As mentioned by Smith, large crowds play a key role in making franchise cricket exciting.
Nonetheless, the board was quick to react to this crisis. It has been announced that there will be compensation for the franchises for not having spectators during the match. Yet the bigger issue here involves the ambiance created by the crowds. Cricket players, especially international players, usually perform best under such conditions.
Finding Joy Amid Silence
Smith has been enjoying his stint in the PSL despite the crowd problems. The Australian batsman stated that his experience with the Multan Sultans had been “great fun” and praised the good form of the team. Notably, he noted that opening the batting was a good development for him as it suited his game in T20 matches.
The dressing room dynamics were not left out either. Smith explained that he has been taking lessons from young players, which has been a rejuvenating process for him. However, he has occasionally taken up the role of mentoring some players when necessary. This balance has helped him settle quickly in his first PSL season.
Steve Smith said regarding the local talents of PSL, “There are a lot of impressive players. It’s been a really good league. There’s so much talent here, that’s for sure.”
Runs, Rhythm, and Results
However, out in the field, Smith has put up consistent performances. He has contributed 231 runs from 8 games, striking at more than 148. The latest of these contributions came in the form of a 56-run knock off 31 deliveries that helped in the chase against Rawalpindi. This was his second half-century this season.
Before that, he also made match-winning scores of 53 runs against Quetta and 46 runs against Hyderabad. These scores have been enough to ensure that Multan Sultans remain in the top positions in the league table. They are currently working towards securing a top-two position, which Smith mentioned as their objective.
In conclusion, even if the fans are not there, the performance of Smith in the league is clear. His play and candid statements have added an important voice in PSL 2026.
