In light of increased military tension between India and Pakistan, major cricket leagues have faced interruptions. The prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL), touted as the world’s largest Twenty20 cricket tournament, has been temporarily postponed for a week. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has also faced an indefinite suspension merely a day after the Pakistan Cricket Board attempted to relocate the remaining matches to Dubai.
Numerous international cricketers from both nations are making their way back to their homelands while the Board of Control for Cricket in India is yet to announce a revised timeline for the tournament. Reports suggest that the IPL organizers are considering Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad as possible venues for the remaining matches, contingent upon approval from the Indian government.
Given the tight international cricket schedule, top foreign players might have to forfeit participation should the IPL extend beyond its intended May 25 conclusion. Typically held from March to May, the IPL boasts a global assortment of 65 players representing countries like Australia, New Zealand, and England, among others.
Many international players not selected in the IPL auction were included in the PSL, which was supposed to run until mid-May. The decision to pause the IPL came on the heels of nighttime artillery confrontations between Indian and Pakistani forces over the contentious Kashmir region. This confrontation followed an assault on tourists within the disputed territory under Indian administration.
Overseas cricketers and broadcast teams received clearance to journey to their home countries, diminishing prospects of the tournament continuing. This season featured around 70 international players within the IPL, and the BCCI emphasized the postponement as being in the “collective interest of all stakeholders.”
While cricket is a significant part of cultural heritage, national security and sovereignty are paramount, per the BCCI’s statement. Suspension followed an incident involving a power cut during a blackout that halted a match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in northern India. Players had to return to New Delhi by train the following day. Additionally, Punjab’s subsequent game was relocated due to airport closures in the region.
As for Pakistan, in the midst of escalating military tensions, foreign athletes departed Islamabad on a special flight before the countries exchanged missiles and drone strikes targeting each other’s military installations—a serious confrontation between these nuclear-armed neighbors. An Indian drone crash at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium added to the tension, prompting the PSL’s initial move to Dubai.
PCB Chairperson Mohsin Naqvi, also serving as Pakistan’s interior minister, communicated with foreign players and franchise owners before announcing the PSL’s definitive suspension. The PCB stressed that while cricket unites, safety amid geopolitical realities must take precedence.
Though the PCB had earlier confirmed a shift of PSL matches to the United Arab Emirates to alleviate international players’ concerns, this latest suspension casts doubt on when, or if, the league will resume this year. The PCB recognized the importance of the mental health and safety of players and extended respect to their families’ wishes to ensure their safe return home.