Después de IP 205, PSL 2025 suspendido indefinidamente, EAU

Hours after announcing that the remaining 8 matches of the Pakistan Super League would be shifted to the UAE, Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to postpone PSL 2025 indefinitely. Earlier on Friday, BCCI also postponed IPL 2025 for a week amid escalating armed conflict between India and Pakistan.

“The PCB and its players stand resolutely in solidarity with the families of the martyrs and our security personnel defending the nation. Cricket, while being a unifying force and a source of joy, must take a respectful pause when the country is facing such callous opposition. 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,” PCB said in a statement.

Did UAE deny PCB’s request?

Only on May 8, PCB announced that the remaining matches of the PSL 2025 would be played in the UAE. It came after PCB postponed the Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi match in Rawalpindi on May 8. However, within 16 hours, PCB has made a U-turn.

As per media reports, the UAE authorities denied PCB permission to host the tournament. The reason is clear: UAE does not want the India-Pakistan situation to escalate in their country. The UAE has nearly 4 million Indians, making up for 30% of the country’s population. Hence, the UAE did not want to take the chance. Furthermore, many foreign players in the PSL wanted to leave the country.

“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,” News agency ANI quoted a source as saying.

The BCCI also reached out to the UAE to host the remaining matches of the IPL 2025. However, it is unclear if the UAE will give IPL the go-ahead instead of PSL.