After UAE's Rejection, PCB Postpones Pakistan Super League 'Indefinitely'

After UAE's Rejection, PCB Postpones Pakistan Super League 'Indefinitely'

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News18.com

Last Updated: May 09, 2025, 21:32 IST

The Pakistan Cricket Board has indefinitely postponed the remaining eight matches of Pakistan Super League's 10th season on the instructions of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Pakistan Super League has been postponed indefinitely.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced it has ‘indefinitely’ postponed the remaining eight matches of Pakistan Super League (PSL)’s 10th season. The development comes amid rising cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack and soon after reports about the Emirates Cricket Board rejecting PCB’s request to hold the season in the UAE.

The season was halted mid-way through after India launched a drone attack on Pakistan on Thursday, in retaliation for its targeting of military bases on the border, one of which struck the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. On Friday morning, the PCB announced that the remainder of the season would be shifted to the UAE.

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However, after a few hours, PTI reported that UAE’s cricketing body, Emirates Cricket Board, was likely to reject PCB’s request to host the remaining matches in the country because they were ‘wary of being perceived as an ally of PCB’.

“The decision to postpone has been taken pursuant to advice received from the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif," the PCB said in a statement. “… The PCB recognizes the efforts and support of its partners, franchises, participating players, broadcasters, sponsors, and organizers in having ensured the smooth conduct of the tournament thus far, however; cricket while being a unifying force and a source of joy, must take a respectful pause…"

“We, at the PCB, also have sincere regard for the mental well-being of participating players and the sentiments of our foreign players, and we respect the concerns of their families who want to see them back home," the statement added.

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The remaining matches in PSL 2025 include four league-stage games and playoffs, which were scheduled to be held in Rawalpindi, Multan and Lahore.

“The Emirates Cricket Board has enjoyed a strong relationship with BCCI in recent years having hosted the ‘India’ edition of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, editions of the IPL as well as India matches during ICC Champions Trophy 2025," the mentioned source stated in the PTI report. “The UAE has a diverse South Asian population which enjoys cricket. Hosting a tournament like the PSL in the midst of such tense circumstances could vitiate harmony, pose security risks and stir unnecessary friction between communities," the quoted source added.

First Published: May 09, 2025, 21:09 IST

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