Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday (April 27) ensured safe return of 23 Indian nationals who were part of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 production and broadcast team.
All the Indian crew members in PCB roster have been replaced amidst cross-border tensions between the two countries. The animosity arose in the aftermath of Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists on April 22.
The Resistance Front, a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, took responsibility of the dastardly attack.
Subsequently, the Indian government announced steps to disconnect any ties with Pakistan, which include revoking all visas issued to Pakistani nationals. India also put the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, citing Pakistan's inaction and persistent cross-border terrorism.
The Pakistan government too asked all Indian nationals in Pakistan to leave the country by April 30.
Speaking to PTI, a PCB official confirmed that 23 Indian nationals who were in Pakistan for the production and broadcast of the PSL matches have been sent back.
"The Indian nationals all returned home via the Wagah border from Lahore," the official said.
The Indian crew members were hired by the company, which is producing and broadcasting PSL matches.
The official said in a bid to ensure the quality of the broadcast didn't suffer, the company hired foreign and local cameramen and technicians to fill the void left by the Indians.
Meanwhile, Indian broadcasting platforms FanCode and Sony Sports India have suspended coverage of the ongoing Pakistan Super League in the aftermath of the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam.
As day after the assault, FanCode opted not to air the match between Multan Sultans and Islamabad United. The live streaming platform also removed the league’s entire section from its app and website.
Sony Sports, which owns India’s television rights for the PSL, acted in a similar way, blacking out all scheduled broadcasts and related studio shows.
(With PTI Inputs)
