PSL Match Cancelled Amid Escalating India-Pakistan Tensions; Foreign Players Seek Exit
Lahore | May 8, 2025:
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) match between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings, scheduled for Thursday at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, was abruptly cancelled following India’s targeted airstrikes on Pakistani air defence systems in Lahore and other locations under Operation Sindoor.
The cancellation has sent shockwaves through the league, especially among foreign players, many of whom are reportedly “in deep shock” and have requested immediate exit from Pakistan, according to sources quoted by IANS.
Following India’s precision strikes on May 7 targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Islamabad retaliated with attempted drone and missile strikes on multiple Indian cities late Wednesday night and early Thursday.
Also Read: These Two England Cricketers Seek Exit From PSL Amid India-Pakistan Conflict: Report
India responded swiftly by neutralizing Pakistan’s air defence radar in Lahore and other locations. As tensions escalated, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which had initially stated the PSL would continue “as planned,” has now called an emergency meeting with franchise owners at Gaddafi Stadium.
Sources told Geo Super that the PCB is evaluating three contingency venues: Karachi, Doha, and Dubai, to safely host the remaining matches of PSL Season 10.
A former Pakistan cricketer said, “Tonight’s match was cancelled due to the attacks. Many foreign players are rattled and are seeking urgent repatriation. PCB is consulting with the government on the next steps.”
In addition to the PSL disruption, concerns loom over Pakistan’s upcoming home T20I series against Bangladesh, with alternative hosting options also being weighed for that series.
India’s offensive was in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, including a Nepali national. The terror outfit The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy, claimed responsibility. India’s Operation Sindoor targeted high-value terror hubs, including Lashkar’s base in Muridke and Jaish-e-Mohammed’s HQ in Bahawalpur.
The government stated the airstrikes were measured and non-escalatory, focusing solely on terror infrastructure. However, Pakistan’s retaliatory attempts targeting Indian military sites have intensified cross-border tensions.
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