The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has backtracked on initial plans to relocate the remainder of this year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) to the United Arab Emirates, while the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended the Indian Premier League (IPL) amid the escalating tensions between the two countries.
The PCB initially officially announced today (Friday) that all remaining fixtures of PSL X, the tenth edition of the Board’s flagship T20 tournament, would be moved to the UAE, with the exact schedule of matches, including dates and venues, to be shared in due course.
This comprises eight games in total, the four remaining regular season fixtures, plus the playoffs and final. Four of these were scheduled to be held in Rawalpindi, one in Multan and three in Lahore, including the final.
Today’s developments come after tensions between India and Pakistan have intensified significantly this week. Yesterday’s PSL match between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings, due to be held at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, was called off hours before it was due to start.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium was one of three venues to receive significant upgrades ahead of Pakistan’s staging of this year’s Champions Trophy. Pakistan yesterday said it had shot down 25 Indian drones, one of which crashed within the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium complex.
Moving the PSL to the UAE would have represented a familiar destination for the PCB. The UAE has represented a home away from home for the PCB in the past, staging events while hosting in Pakistan couldn’t take place owing to the security situation. This included the inaugural 2016 PSL, and the 2017 event, barring the final, while part of the 2021 tournament played out in the UAE due to the pandemic.
PCB chair, Mohsin Naqvi, initially stated that while the Board has always stood by the position that politics and sports need to be kept apart, the PSL would relocate to the UAE “in view of the extremely irresponsible and dangerous Indian act of targeting the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, which was manifestly done to disrupt the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League X.”
However, this stance shifted in the evening with the PCB announcing the postponement of the remaining eight matches stating the past 24 hours had seen a “worsening of the situation on the LOC (local organising committee), increased incursion of 78 drones, and the firing of surface to surface missiles from India”.
A PCB statement added: “The decision to postpone has been taken pursuant to advice received from the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif who has kept in view the reckless aggression from India that has escalated to a point where national attention and sentiments are rightly focused on the courageous efforts of the Armed Forces of Pakistan who are vociferously upholding the sovereignty of our beloved Pakistan.
“The PCB and its players stand resolutely in solidarity with the families of the martyrs and our security personnel defending the nation.
“The PCB recognises the efforts and support of its partners, franchises, participating players, broadcasters, sponsors, and organisers in having ensured the smooth conduct of the tournament thus far, however; cricket while being a unifying force and a source of joy, must take a respectful pause when the country is facing such callous opposition.”
In India, the IPL’s 2025 season is also in full swing. Following the PCB’s initial announcement, the BCCI declared that the remainder of the schedule has been suspended with immediate effect for one week.
BCCI honorary secretary, Devajit Saikia, said further updates regarding the new schedule and venues of the tournament will be announced in due course after a comprehensive assessment of the situation in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders.
Yesterday’s match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was abandoned midway into the first innings “due to a significant technical failure” at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala.
The BCCI also yesterday relocated Sunday’s scheduled game between the Kings and Mumbai Indians from Dharamshala to Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad citing “logistical challenges”.
Amid the escalating cross-border tensions, Saikia said today: “The decision was taken by the IPL Governing Council after due consultation with all key stakeholders following the representations from most of the franchisees, who conveyed the concern and sentiments of their players, and also the views of the broadcaster, sponsors and fans.
“While the BCCI reposes full faith in the strength and preparedness of our armed forces, the Board considered it prudent to act in the collective interest of all stakeholders. At this critical juncture, the BCCI stands firmly with the nation. We express our solidarity with the Government of India, the Armed Forces and the people of our country.
“The Board salutes the bravery, courage, and selfless service of our armed forces, whose heroic efforts under Operation Sindoor continue to protect and inspire the nation, as they lead a resolute response to the recent terrorist attack and the unwarranted aggression by Pakistan’s armed forces.
“While cricket remains a national passion, there is nothing greater than the nation and its sovereignty, integrity, and security of our country. The BCCI remains firmly committed to support all efforts that safeguard India and will always align its decisions in the best interest of the nation.”
Including yesterday’s abandonment, the IPL is currently 58 games into its 2025 season. There are 12 games left to play in the group stage, with the playoffs then due to commence.
