Pakistan strikes hard: PSL to resume in UAE, IPL suspended amid ‘security risks’

Rising military tensions between Pakistan and India have severely impacted the cricketing world, forcing both the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Indian Premier League (IPL) into sudden changes. 

While Pakistan acted swiftly to safeguard its tournament and relocated the remaining matches of the tournament to the UAE, India has been compelled to suspend the IPL indefinitely fearing Pakistan’s retaliation to cross-border aggression.

As per the details, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced that the remaining eight matches of PSL X will be held in the UAE. The decision came in response to escalating tensions, especially after a drone incident in Rawalpindi that led to the cancellation of a scheduled match between Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi.

The matches are now expected to take place in Dubai with a possible delay of six to seven days. The PCB is working on finalising revised dates and logistics while ensuring that all foreign players are flown to the UAE as early as possible. Despite the challenges, the PCB has demonstrated leadership and responsibility by putting player safety first and ensuring the tournament continues within this month.

In contrast, the IPL has come to a complete halt. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) held an emergency meeting and decided to suspend the tournament until further notice. This decision followed Pakistan’s robust military retaliation to Indian strikes, spreading fear across Indian quarters.

The fears were added to when an IPL match in Dharamshala on Thursday was abruptly stopped as stadium lights were shut down. Teams, spectators and foreign presenters were also evacuated assuming it was a blackout amid a possible air raid by Pakistan. While the loss of power was later dubbed a “technical failure”, several foreign players reportedly began making arrangements to leave the country, indicating growing unease over security.