Amid the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) authorities have decided to relocate the remaining matches of the tournament to the United Arab Emirates.
The tense situation between neighboring countries India and Pakistan has now impacted cricket. The remaining portion of the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League has been moved from Pakistan to the UAE.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the decision in a press release late Thursday night. The schedule and venue for the remaining eight matches will be announced shortly, according to the organizers.
Earlier on Thursday, the match between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings, which was supposed to take place in the evening, was postponed due to “security concerns.” Following an emergency meeting, the decision was made to move the entire tournament out of Pakistan.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have been high for several days, particularly following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. After several events, India conducted drone attacks in various areas of Pakistan on Thursday, damaging the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Following these developments, foreign players in the PSL expressed increased security concerns. On Thursday afternoon, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi held an emergency meeting with them. After the meeting, the decision to suspend the Peshawar-Karachi match was made public.
Given the uncertain situation, with no immediate signs of improvement, the organizers decided to relocate the tournament to the UAE to avoid any unwanted consequences.
In the PCB statement, Mohsin Naqvi criticized India’s irresponsible actions, particularly targeting Rawalpindi Stadium. He said:
“The Pakistan Cricket Board has always advocated for separating sports from politics. However, in light of India’s irresponsible actions targeting Rawalpindi Stadium, clearly aimed at disrupting the PSL, the PCB has decided to move the remaining matches to the UAE.”
With nearly 40 foreign players, including Bangladesh’s Nahid Rana and Rishad Hossain, participating in the PSL, the PCB Chairman emphasized that the decision was made to ensure their safety.
“This decision to relocate the tournament has been taken to protect our local and foreign players, who are our esteemed guests, from any potential unwanted attacks,” said Naqvi.
“Overcoming many challenges in the past, it is our responsibility as a responsible institution to ensure the mental health and safety of the players.”
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, foreign players have already started their journey from Pakistan to Dubai. However, it will take a few days before the tournament resumes after finalizing the new venues.
The PSL final is scheduled for May 18, and after that, Bangladesh is supposed to play a five-match T20 series in Pakistan.
Bangladesh’s team, including Liton Kumar Das and Mehedi Hasan, was scheduled to arrive in Pakistan after completing a two-match series in the UAE on May 21. However, the current situation has cast uncertainty on that tour as well.
If the remaining PSL matches are postponed, it could impact Bangladesh’s tour schedule. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has not yet made an official statement on this matter and prefers to wait a few days before taking any decisions.
