- May 13, 2025
Cricket fans are used to excitement, whether in the form of last-over thrillers or on-field drama. But what occurred in the 2025 PSL was something nobody could have prepared for. Remember tuning in for a T20 match only to find out that drones, missiles, and emergency flights were the headlines? Not just PR has gone bad, but a security nightmare.
For overseas players, especially the players from Bangladesh, England, and New Zealand, the PSL was more about survival than sport. One moment they were warming up for a T20 match, and the next they were packing their bags, avoiding drone rumors, and boarding emergency flights out of Rawalpindi.
Drone Panic and a Matchday Meltdown
All of this is a whole different story after an alleged drone was said to have been shot down outside of the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, and what should have been a day full of fun now turned into confusion. Vendors were told to pack up, games were postponed, and players were potentially left behind.
Bangladeshi cricketers Rishad Hossain and Nahid Rana were doing their best to remain calm, but it was hard to deny the tension there. The PCB was swift with their actions and arranged an emergency flight to Dubai for all the foreign players, but this was not a normal evacuation.
According to Hossain’s account, shortly after their flight took off, and probably just twenty minutes afterward, a missile landed near the airport. Let that sink in they barely got away. What sounded like a quick fix turned into a terrifying near miss on their lives. And from there, it continued to get more emotional.
Tears at the Terminal: When Emotions Boiled Over
Not every cricketer is made of iron. And in situations such as these, even the most composed professionals can be undone. Rishad Hossain’s account provided some insight behind the curtain where cricket equipment was exchanged for emergency plans, and composed bravery was exchanged for fear.
The weather was humid, and New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell was understandably frustrated and said he would not go back into those conditions. Evidently, he was not alone in feeling like this – others such as Sam Billings, David Wiese, and Kusal Perera also looked affected.
Fallout for Pakistan Cricket: Can Trust Be Rebuilt?
Pakistan spent years rehabilitating its reputation in cricket. Holding full PSL seasons, hosting international players, and slowly convincing the world that cricket could return safely. But this event takes the credibility and reputation backwards, and way back.
When international players start saying “never again,” it cuts way beyond social media. Cricket boards will think twice. Sponsors will rethink their sponsorships. Fans might come, but without the big-name players, the product will suffer.
And then the mental toll. Players’ family members—such as Rishad’s—were gripped by them after they heard about bombs and missiles. It is no longer just cricket—it is human beings, mental health, and peace. The 2025 PSL evacuation was not only anomalous, but it could also be a defining event. Cricket has prospered through hardship, but if there is a line, it is between hardship and danger. This was not just a difficult tour, it was a harrowing situation.
Now Pakistan must ask itself a hard question: will Pakistan ever be able to guarantee that international stars will be safe when the chips are down? Should Pakistan look at neutral venues until it gets better?
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