Following increased military tensions between India and Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made the decision to shift the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to the United Arab Emirates. This follows after foreign players in the tournament raised increased concerns about their safety.
Pakistan Not Safe For Players
In a formal statement released early Friday morning, the PCB confirmed that the last eight matches, originally planned to be held in Rawalpindi, Multan, and Lahore, will instead be hosted in the UAE. The updated schedule with dates and locations is soon to be announced.
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Mohsin Naqvi Gives Statement
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that Rawalpindi's cricket ground had been affected by a recent aerial attack, further upsetting the PSL. He reiterated that the resolution to shift the tournament was arrived at to mitigate the safety issues of local as well as international players.
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"As a responsible organisation that has overcome adversities repeatedly and ensured that the game of cricket flourishes, it was important for us to ensure the mental well-being of all players participating in the PSL," PCB chief said.
Pakistan Attack, India Retaliates
At the same time, India's Defence Ministry made it clear that on Thursday, its strikes were confined to hitting Pakistan's air defence systems in response to attempted attacks made on 15 Indian targets on Wednesday night on northern and western borders.
Security Concerns Postpone The Match In Rawalpindi
The security climate had already led to the postponement of the Peshawar Zalmi against Karachi Kings match at Rawalpindi on Thursday. UK-based media reports indicate that English players participating in the PSL were considering an early pullout in light of the worsening security environment.
Players Want To Exit PSL
As reported by The Telegraph, a number of English cricketers playing in the league at the moment were split on whether to stay or quit.
"The England and Wales Cricket Board and Professional Cricketers Association held an emergency call on Wednesday morning to discuss the situation. At this stage players are not being advised to come home," it added.
"While most players are currently intending to remain in Pakistan, Telegraph Sport understands several are exploring their options and could return home."
The PSL 2025 lineup contains a number of leading global players like David Warner (Karachi Kings), Jason Holder and Rassie van der Dussen (both Islamabad United), whose availability for the remainder of the league now depends on the changing security situation.