The PCB announced on Friday that the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League will be moved to the UAE due to ongoing military tensions with India, making foreign players uneasy. They said that the last eight matches, previously set for Rawalpindi, Multan, and Lahore, will now take place in the UAE. They plan to share the details about the new dates and venues soon.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi mentioned that Rawalpindi’s cricket stadium had been affected in a recent strike, disrupting the PSL. The Indian defense ministry clarified that their air defense systems were targeted after Pakistan attempted strikes on multiple locations in India.
Naqvi emphasized that relocating the matches was essential to address the concerns of both local and foreign players. He noted that as an organization committed to keeping cricket thriving, it was important to prioritize the mental well-being of all players involved in the PSL.
Earlier, the PCB had to call off a scheduled match between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings at Rawalpindi stadium. Reports from British media suggested that English players are contemplating leaving the league over security worries.
An article in ‘The Telegraph’ mentioned that the English players participating in the league were uncertain about whether to stay in Pakistan. The England and Wales Cricket Board and the Professional Cricketers Association held an emergency call to discuss the situation. While most players plan to stay, some are looking into their options and might return home.
This year’s PSL features seven English players: James Vince, Tom Curran, Sam Billings, Chris Jordan, David Willey, Luke Wood, and Tom Kohler-Cadmore. England coaches Ravi Bopara and Alexandra Hartley are also involved in the league, along with other notable players like David Warner and Jason Holder.