The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had recently announced that the remainder of the PSL 2025 (Pakistan Super League) matches have been shifted to the UAE. This happened due to the rising escalation by Pakistan and India, with increasing military action from both sides.
India attacked several Pakistani locations with drones, and one of the drones hit the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium that was supposed to host a PSL 2025 match between Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi.
Since the war with India has escalated, the PCB has decided to move the PSL 2025 to the United Arab Emirates. The tournament, which had been set to conclude in Pakistan with its final eight matches, will now be completed abroad.
PCB had even put out a media release on May 9 stating that the remaining fixtures of the HBL PSL X have been shifted to the UAE.
The statement read: “The following fixtures will be rescheduled accordingly: Karachi Kings v Peshawar Zalmi, Peshawar Zalmi v Lahore Qalandars, Islamabad United v Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans v Quetta Gladiators, Qualifier, Eliminator 1, Eliminator, 2 and the Final.
The exact schedule of matches, outlining the dates and venues, will be shared in due course.”
However, the PCB's plans to hold the remaining Pakistan Super League matches in the UAE may fail, as the Emirates Cricket Board is "unlikely to approve" their request due to border tensions between India and Pakistan.
According to a source close to developments at the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), the Board is expected to reject the request from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which has already announced that the PSL will be staged in the UAE.
The source has cited "security concerns potentially emanating from the rising tension between India and Pakistan."
It is learnt that the recent developments have made the Emirates Cricket Board "vary of being perceived as an ally of PCB", which it believes the act of hosting the PSL may suggest.
"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 the ICC Champions Trophy 2025," the source further stated.
Dubai is also the headquarters of the International Cricket Council, which is now led by former BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
"The UAE has a diverse South Asian population that 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 source said.
(PTI inputs)
