Latest news on PSL 2025: Scheduled matches in UAE delayed, stay tuned for updates
In the middle of all the chaos, the PSL 2025, scheduled to be played out in the UAE, has hit a major roadblock. It seems like the ongoing spat between India and Pakistan has yet again taken a toll on their beloved T20 tournaments.
While the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been delayed by a week, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to shift the remaining PSL matches to the UAE. However, things have taken an unexpected turn. An official statement from the PCB reveals that they've postponed the remaining eight matches of PSL 2025.
The statement reads, "The last 24 hours have seen a worsening of the situation on the LOC. The decision to postpone has been taken pursuant to advice received from the prime minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif."
But here's the catch, the UAE might not grant the PCB's request to host the remaining PSL games. With the increasing tensions between India and Pakistan, hosting a tournament like the PSL could potentially stir up unnecessary friction and pose security risks to the South Asian population residing in the UAE.
The original schedule would have seen four matches in Rawalpindi, one in Multan, and the final three in Lahore. However, due to the postponement, the venues for the remaining matches have yet to be confirmed.
Players, including some from England, were called for an emergency meeting, with opinions divided on returning to the UK. The PCB chair, Mohsin Naqvi, expressed his concerns about the players' mental well-being and regret for the audience missing out on the matches in Pakistan.
The escalating tensions between India and Pakistan have led to this unfortunate decision. A day prior, the match between Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi in Rawalpindi was postponed following a series of military strikes.
It all started when India claimed to have targeted multiple Pakistani air defense radars and systems in retaliation for an alleged attack on military targets in northern and western India.
The PCB shifted the last phase of PSL 2025 to the UAE on Friday, which was originally scheduled to be played out in Pakistan. The decision to postpone the tournament comes as a blow to both cricket enthusiasts and players alike.
In other news, the PSL has historically hosted matches in the UAE, with the first two seasons being held there (except for the 2017 final) as well as part of the 2021 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Initially planning to hold the final phase of PSL 2025 in Pakistan, the PCB relocated the games to the UAE on Friday due to the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions.
- Despite the shift, the remaining dates for the PSL 2025 matches in the UAE are yet to be confirmed, with potential security risks and friction for the South Asian population living in the region.
- The postponement of the remaining PSL 2025 matches in Multan and other cities has left fans and players disappointed, as the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan continue to impact the world of sports.
