Indian broadcasters covering PSL told to leave Pakistan

The Pakistan government has directed all Indian nationals working in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 broadcast team to leave the country within 48 hours.

This decision comes after a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on 22 April, which killed 26 tourists. The attack has increased tensions between India and Pakistan.

More than 24 Indian crew members are affected by this order. These include engineers, camera operators, production leaders, and specialists in player tracking. They played an important role in the live coverage of PSL 2025.

Now, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Trans-Asia, the broadcasting company, are in a rush to find replacement staff to keep the broadcasts running smoothly.

The PCB reportedly made efforts to convince the government, stating that the Indian crew had valid sports visas and should be allowed to stay. However, the government stood by its decision after a meeting of the National Security Council, citing security and diplomatic concerns.

On the other hand, India has responded by banning the live streaming of PSL 2025 across the country. So far, no new streaming partner has been announced, leaving Indian fans without an official way to watch the rest of the tournament.

Tensions are growing on both sides. India has also suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and closed the Attari border crossing. Meanwhile, Pakistan has cancelled all visas for Indian citizens.

Some of the Indian crew in Pakistan, including 12 people who are UAE residents, are now stuck. They’ve been told not to move around too much and to leave the country as soon as possible.

The ongoing PSL 2025 is being held in four cities, and this sudden exit of experienced Indian staff is causing major challenges for the PCB as they try to maintain the quality of the tournament’s broadcast.