The escalating military conflict between India and Pakistan has significantly impacted cricket, the most popular sport in both countries.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been suspended for at least one week by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) due to safety concerns and stakeholder apprehensions amid the ongoing hostilities.
Simultaneously, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has postponed the Pakistan Super League (PSL) indefinitely, scrapping earlier plans to relocate the remaining matches to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This decision follows a drone incident at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and heightened security risks for players and officials.
The IPL, which started on March 22 and was scheduled to conclude on May 25, has 12 group-stage matches remaining. The BCCI has stated that updates on the resumption and new scheduling will be announced after assessing the situation in consultation with relevant authorities.
The PSL’s remaining eight fixtures, originally planned in Rawalpindi, Multan, and Lahore, were initially moved to the UAE but have now been postponed indefinitely to ensure player safety amid the escalating conflict.
These suspensions reflect the deep impact of geopolitical tensions on sports, with both boards emphasizing the priority of national security and player welfare over the continuation of their lucrative tournaments.
