The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been halted for one week amid rising tensions with Pakistan.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has temporarily suspended the ongoing IPL 2025 tournament due to the rising conflict with Pakistan. The announcement was made Friday, citing the need to prioritize national interest and the safety of all involved.
BCCI Says Nation Comes First
In a formal statement, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that after talks with team officials and players, the board found it best to pause the competition. He noted that while cricket is a major part of Indian life, the country’s sovereignty and peace come above all.
“Cricket is important, but nothing is above our nation’s unity and security,” Saikia stated.
He added that the BCCI would continue supporting efforts aimed at protecting India, and any future cricket decisions would be guided by this principle.
IPL Games Interrupted and Relocated
The rising border tension already caused disruptions in the tournament. A match set to be played in Dharamsala on Friday was halted midway due to a sudden power cut. Another fixture planned for Sunday at the same venue was moved to Ahmedabad for safety reasons.
This comes after Indian forces launched airstrikes on what they claimed were terrorist training camps in Pakistan, in response to a deadly attack in Kashmir. Since then, both countries have exchanged fire, drones, and missiles, with dozens reported dead.
PSL Shifts to UAE for Player Safety
Meanwhile, in response to the same conflict, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced it will move the rest of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches to the United Arab Emirates. This is a preventive step meant to ensure players are not put in harm’s way.
PCB Calls for Separation of Politics and Sport
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister, stated that the board has always believed sports should stay separate from political matters. However, he added that protecting players’ mental health and well-being is a top priority in such uncertain times.
“Cricket must go on, but not at the cost of our players’ peace of mind,” Naqvi explained.
The PCB confirmed that new details about the PSL schedule would be released soon.
Both Boards Await Calm Before Resuming
While the IPL has 12 matches plus playoffs still pending, and the PSL has eight games remaining, both cricket boards have said they will wait for the situation to stabilize before finalizing new fixtures.
