The England and Wales Cricket Committee is considering hosting the remainder of the Indian Premier League in September due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan.
In a tumultuous 24 hours, both the IPL and Pakistan Super League faced cancellations, schedules were upended, and foreign players were advised to prepare for flights home. Pakistan’s Cricket Committee has announced that the final eight matches of the tournament will now take place in the United Arab Emirates. This raises concerns, as the Emirates Cricket Committee is wary of being perceived as aligned with the PCB, prompting a pause in the tournament while they reconsider their position.
The Indian Cricket Committee (BCCI) has confirmed a week-long suspension of the IPL, but its future remains uncertain, especially with 16 matches still to be played and international players returning home.
The Guardian reports that ECB CEO Richard Gould has reached out to his BCCI counterparts to offer support. If the IPL cannot resume after the pause, one possible scenario is for England to host the remaining matches later this year.
While active discussions aren’t currently happening, senior sources at the ECB mentioned that this could be a viable option. A similar arrangement was put in place in 2021 when the IPL was briefly halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The IPL’s suspension followed the cancellation of matches, including one involving the Delhi team, after a military base in Patankot, located about 80 kilometers away, was reportedly targeted by what Indian officials called missiles and drones. Fans were requested to exit the venue quickly, some even while still in their cricket gear. Dharmshala is one of 27 Indian airports closed because of security concerns and will remain closed until Friday morning, with teams needing to reroute their travel plans.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia stated, “We will announce an update on the new schedule and venues following consultations with relevant authorities,” highlighting that the decision aligns with the preferences of franchise owners and player sentiments.
With 58 games played and 12 remaining in the group stage, plus four playoffs to consider, the BCCI faces a tough decision about completing the season. The IPL has previously been relocated during crises; for example, in 2009 it moved to South Africa due to Indian elections, and in 2020 it returned to the UAE amid Covid restrictions.
Though relocating to the UAE was initially off the table, the suspension of the PSL further complicates matters. PCB Chairman Mohsin Nakvi described the situation as “very inexplicable” following the attack, which involved drones damaging areas near the Rawalpindi stadium.
On Friday night, Indian news agency PTI reported that the Emirates Cricket Committee opted not to jeopardize local safety or its relationship with the BCCI by seeming to support Pakistan. A source noted, “The UAE has a diverse South Asian population that enjoys cricket, and holding tournaments like the PSL in these tense times could create security risks and community friction.”
Shortly after the PCB announced its decision to suspend the tournament in the UAE, it stated that it would follow the advice of Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif, who emphasized the importance of supporting military efforts and being considerate of players’ mental well-being and family concerns.
Seven English players are part of the PSL, while ten are involved in the IPL, and it’s anticipated they will all return to their home countries over the weekend.
