- May 9, 2025
Cricket fans in Pakistan were just beginning to brave the anticipated friction that would follow during the last few weeks of PSL 2025, and then politics kicked in. Just as the PSL was about to begin its 10th season, an errant confrontation between India and Pakistan arose that shifted the Pakistan Super League, which has been progressing in a fairly steady and consistent manner, into a tumultuous, unforgiving maelstrom. There have been drone incidents, missile attacks, and now, most pertinently, player safety & security issues in a league which usually isn’t affected by inclement weather, facing a much larger adversary than rain.
Foreign Players on Edge: Safety Trumps Sport
When a drone came down in and around the Rawalpindi Stadium complex before the Karachi Kings’ match against Peshawar Zalmi, it was more than just a red flag; it was a siren. While that specific match was already rain-affected, there would soon be a deluge of fear and uncertainty in the minds of players, especially the overseas ones.
Have you ever had an experience in an environment that seemed to be cautiously uncomfortable? The UK players were torn on whether to stay or go home, and who could blame them? Just days prior, India had struck Pakistan after a terrorist attack in Kashmir, hitting them with missile strikes. Very quickly, things can go from bad to dangerous.
The Professional Cricketers’ Association has contacted its network of 15, as well as the other boards (the BCB and CWI) are also keeping a close eye on player safety. Cricketing authorities will take a cautious approach, and rightly so. No hat-trick or six is worth a life.
Cities, Schedules, and a Possible UAE Shift
So, what is this going to look like, rescheduling the PSL? There are still 8 matches remaining- 4 in Rawalpindi, 1 in Multan, and 3 in Lahore. That being said, all 3 host cities will be classified as “risky” zones based on drones or the escalation of the geo-political conflict.
Karachi is a potential fallback, but they, too, have had drone incidents recently. This puts PCB with the decision of trying to move the matches domestically in Pakistan, or offshore. The players, especially the overseas players, are requesting Dubai, which has a long history of handling PSL seasons, previously to now, and has a relatively more stable, secure environment.
Now, I would contend, moving a whole leg of a league on short notice is far more difficult than moving the hotel bookings. There are big logistics involved, for example, the venue bookings, broadcast rights, expected fan numbers, etc. Not to mention with the pressure of potential backlash from players and their representatives, I don’t think they will have much choice, the PCB.
Cricket Can’t Stay in a Bubble Forever
This is not the first time international cricket has been halted due to conflict, but it’s a poignant signal that even the grandest sporting event is vulnerable to global conflict. The PSL has garnered goodwill and proximity due to its remarkable growth and ability to perform under duress. Now, we learn that a different type of durability is going to be tested—the test is not what happens on the field, but what occurs off the pitch.
The situation raises broader challenges for cricket boards and franchises: how does one prepare for a season in a volatile region? Is it ever possible for international players to feel secure knowing that diplomacy has collapsed? The PCB’s response to this crisis will set a new benchmark, not only for PSL but also for how cricket leagues navigate future geopolitical minefields.
The PSL season 10 was to show cricket’s advancement in Pakistan instead has come under the management of a crisis. The PCB is trying to maintain the tournament through air raids and a volatile political environment; it is obvious cricket is a gentleman’s game, but the circumstances have not always been gentlemanly.
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