The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has called for an urgent meeting to assess the future of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) amid escalating military tensions with India. The move comes after a drone strike early Thursday reportedly struck Lahore and hit the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium just hours before it was due to host a PSL fixture.
The growing security concerns have already prompted several foreign players to consider returning home, casting uncertainty over the tournament’s continuation. According to PCB sources, the board is awaiting guidance from Pakistan’s federal government before making a final decision on whether to suspend or reschedule upcoming matches.
The scheduled PSL encounter between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings at 8:00 PM tonight is now in serious doubt after the Rawalpindi stadium was directly affected by the Indian drone attack. The entire league, which features six franchises, is currently based in Rawalpindi, with the final slated for May 18 in Lahore should the tournament proceed.
Indian authorities have claimed responsibility for the strikes, asserting that they were carried out in response to the deadly April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists. New Delhi said its military successfully launched missile attacks on nine suspected terrorist installations in Pakistan and also thwarted retaliatory drone and missile attempts from the Pakistani side targeting Northern and Western India.
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India further claimed that Lahore’s air-defence systems were disabled during the early morning assault.
A PCB insider told local media that the emergency meeting would focus on the multiple drone strikes reported in Punjab province since Wednesday night. “The situation has escalated quickly, and the board will review developments carefully before making a decision,” the source said.
In a bid to calm nerves, PSL CEO Salman Naseer held a meeting with overseas players in Rawalpindi, offering assurances about their safety and the PCB’s constant coordination with the country’s security apparatus.
“Naturally, players are concerned, and the matter was discussed,” said PCB spokesperson Amir Mir. “We’ve placed a high-level security blanket over the players, with the Pakistan Army directly involved.”
He further acknowledged the cross-border military operations, saying, “Yes, there have been surgical strikes on both sides of the border. We don’t expect this to impact the PSL at the moment, but if the situation worsens, we will collectively decide the way forward.”
Among the high-profile international cricketers currently participating in the league are David Warner (Karachi Kings), Jason Holder (Islamabad United), and Rassie van der Dussen (Islamabad United), whose continued participation now hangs in the balance.
As tensions simmer along the India-Pakistan border, the fate of Pakistan’s premier T20 league remains uncertain. The PCB faces a delicate balancing act, ensuring player safety while preserving the integrity and completion of a marquee sporting event.
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