Pakistan’s cricket authorities have confirmed that the remainder of the Pakistan Super League will be relocated to the UAE following a drone strike near Rawalpindi stadium, described by officials as a “deliberate attempt” by India to target players.
In India, a senior official said a decision will be made Friday as to what happens to the rest of the Indian Premier League season, after Thursday's match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala – less than 200 kilometres from the town of Jammu, where explosions were reported hours earlier – was abandoned due to apparent flood light failure.
The PSL's decision comes after Pakistan’s military intercepted and neutralised 28 Indian drones, including one shot down just outside the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday morning – hours before Karachi Kings were scheduled to face Peshawar Zalmi. The match was immediately postponed.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar labelled the incident “a deliberate attempt to target domestic and foreign cricket players”, as tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours reached a dangerous new low following deadly cross-border exchanges.
Pakistani forces launched several attacks using drones and other munitions along India's western border overnight, the Indian army said on X.
The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the Twenty20 league’s relocation in a statement on Friday, citing player safety as the top priority.
“Pakistan Cricket Board confirms that the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League have been shifted to the UAE,” the statement read. “The updated schedule will be shared in due course.”
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A child looks on after taking refuge at a school in Jammu, Indian-administered Kashmir, following an exchange of shelling and small arms fire across the border. Getty Images -
Streaks of light in the skies over the city of Jammu in Indian-administered Kashmir, during a suspected drone attack from the Pakistan side. Getty Images -
A Pakistani paramilitary trooper keeps guard at Karachi Port. Reuters -
A candlelight vigil for victims of a Indian missile strike on Bilal Mosque in Muzaffarabad, Pakistani-administered Kashmir. EPA -
Security personnel at Karachi Port, southern Pakistan. EPA -
Lorries gridlocked near Pakistan's Karachi Port following the military escalation between New Delhi and Islamabad. EPA -
India's air defence system intercepts objects during a blackout following blasts in the city of Jammu, in Indian-administered Kashmir. Reuters -
The damaged Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah compound after an Indian strike on the outskirts of Bahawalpur in Pakistan's Punjab province. AFP -
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressing the special session at the National Assembly in Islamabad. AFP -
Villagers carry their belongings as they move to safer areas after authorities evacuated residents living near the border at Jeora Farm on the outskirts of Jammu. AFP -
National Cadet Corps cadets shout slogans after conducting an emergency simulation drill as part of the nationwide civil defence mock drills in Amritsar. AFP -
National Disaster Response Force, civil defence and fire personnel conduct an air raid drill at Khan market in New Delhi. EPA -
An artillery shell lands in the main town of Poonch district in India's Jammu region on Wednesday as Pakistani troops launch shells from across the Line of Control in retaliation for Indian missile strikes. AFP -
Poonch locals load their belongings on a bus as they flee the shelling. AFP -
Workers paint a red cross symbol on the roof of a hospital to deter a potential attack in Srinagar, in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. AFP -
Indian school pupils take part in a drill at Rajkiya Sarvodaya Vidyalaya in New Delhi. EPA -
Another Pakistani shell hits Poonch. AFP -
Rescuers search for survivors after India struck a building in a government-run complex in Muridke, Pakistan, about 30km from Lahore. AFP -
The mosque of an Islamic seminary partially damaged by an Indian missile attack, on the outskirts of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. AP -
Residents are evacuated from an area close to the site of an Indian missile attack, near Muzaffarabad. AP -
Bilal mosque lies in ruins after being struck by Indian missiles in Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. AP -
Volunteers load a body into an ambulance after recovering it from the rubble of a mosque building damaged by a suspected Indian missile attack near Muzaffarabad. AP -
A lorry transports an army tank on a road in Muridke, about 30km from Lahore. AFP -
Indian Air Force personnel patrol on the outskirts of Srinagar. EPA -
Indian troops patrol a security checkpoint on the outskirts of Srinagar. EPA -
Passengers stranded at Jinnah International airport after all domestic and international flights were cancelled in Karachi. AFP -
Protesters burn an Indian flag during a demonstration condemning Indian missile strikes in Hyderabad, Pakistan. AP
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister, said the decision had been made after consultation with PSL franchise owners and foreign players.
“We have shifted the remaining matches to the UAE so that the domestic as well as foreign cricketers, who are our precious guests, can be saved from the possible reckless targeting by India,” Naqvi said.
“The PCB has always stood by the position that politics and sports need to be kept apart. However, in view of the extremely irresponsible and dangerous Indian act of targeting the stadium, the PCB has taken this decision.”
Thirty-seven overseas players, including stars from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the West Indies, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, are currently involved in the tournament. Among them is former Australia vice-captain David Warner, who had recently returned to Pakistan after playing there in bilateral tours.
Sources told AFP that a number of foreign players had expressed serious concerns about staying in Pakistan amid escalating military tensions, prompting the PCB to act swiftly.
PSL organisers remain keen for the tournament, which has eight fixtures outstanding, to be completed, but the safety of players remains their priority.
International cricket only returned to Pakistan in 2020, more than a decade after the 2009 terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore forced teams to play Pakistan fixtures in neutral venues, primarily the UAE.
The return of top-tier cricket to Pakistan was widely viewed as a major step towards normalisation, with international sides slowly regaining confidence in the country’s security arrangements. Thursday’s drone incident, however, risks undoing years of hard-earned progress.
India and Pakistan have traded accusations and fire over the past 48 hours after New Delhi carried out air strikes into Pakistani territory on Wednesday, claiming retaliation for an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir – a charge Islamabad denies.
Pakistan says 31 people have been killed and 57 injured by air strikes in the country and Pakistan-administered Kashmir since Wednesday morning.
The fallout has raised fears of a wider conflict, with global powers urging restraint.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, called on India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions and avoid further escalation that could threaten regional and international peace.
“Diplomacy and dialogue remain the most effective means of peacefully resolving crises, and achieving the shared aspirations of nations for peace, stability, and prosperity,” he said in quotes carried by the Wam news agency on Tuesday.
For the PSL, meanwhile, a tournament that has fought for credibility and international relevance now finds itself once again seeking shelter in the Gulf – not for commercial reasons, but survival.
IPL decision
In India, a power failure led to the abandonment of the IPL game between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals on Thursday with both teams awarded one point.
One of the light towers at the stadium malfunctioned due to the outage, and the game was called off.
It was the last game of the season in Dharamsala after organisers shifted Punjab's scheduled game on Sunday against Mumbai Indians from Dharamsala to Ahmedabad because of India-Pakistan tensions.
The IPL cited logistical challenges on Thursday.
Airports in Dharamsala and Chandigarh – where Punjab Kings are based – have been closed for civilian and commercial purposes since Wednesday. Airports across India’s northwestern corridor have been similarly closed off.
"We are monitoring the situation, seeking the government's advice, and will take the final decision on the IPL tomorrow," Rajeev Shukla, vice-president of cricket board the BCCI, told The Indian Express on Thursday.
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Mitchell Starc took 5-35 to put Delhi Capitals on the way to a seven-wicket IPL win over Sunrisers Hyderabad at Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, on March 30, 2025. Reuters -
Delhi Capitals opener Faf du Plessis walks back to the pavilion after being dismissed for 50, a knock that came off 27 balls and included three fours and three sixes. AFP -
Delhi opner Jake Fraser-McGurk hit 38 off 32 balls including four fours and two sixes. AFP -
Hyderabad fielder Wiaan Mulder takes the catch to dismiss Delhi's Faf du Plessis. AP -
Delhi batter KL Rahul is clean bowled by Sunrisers Hyderabad's Zeeshan Ansari for 15. AFP -
Sunrisers Hyderabad bowler Zeeshan Ansari, second left, celebrate the dismissal of Delhi opener Faf du Plessis. AP -
Aniket Verma top-scored for Sunrisers Hyderabad with 74 off 41 balls including five fours and six sixes, as his team were bowled out for 163. AFP -
Delhi fielder Vipraj Nigam after taking a catch to dismiss Hyderabad's Heinrich Klaasen for 32. AP -
Hyderabad's Australian opener Travis Head hit 22 off 12 balls before becoming one of countryman Mitchell Starc's five victims for Delhi. Reuters -
Delhi fielder Jake Fraser-McGurk takes catch to dismiss Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins. AP -
Delhi bowler Kuldeep Yadav, right, finished with figures of 3-22 off four overs. AP
"The situation is changing day by day. We will do whatever we are told and inform all stakeholders.
"At the moment, our priority is the safety of all players, fans and stakeholders."
The newspaper – without disclosing its sources – said the BCCI is "keeping its options open", with suspending the world's richest cricket league or revising its itinerary among possible options.
The 10-team competition, which features numerous cricket stars from around the world, started on March 22.
The final is scheduled for May 25 at Kolkata's Eden Gardens and typically attracts a vast global television audience.
