India Suspends IPL Amid Military Tensions with Pakistan; PSL Relocated to UAE

India’s most prominent sporting event, the Indian Premier League (IPL), has been suspended for one week due to escalating military tensions with neighboring Pakistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Friday, as per Al Jazeera.

The decision follows a surge in cross-border hostilities in Kashmir, sparked by an attack on tourists in the India-administered portion of the disputed region. Artillery exchanges between Indian and Pakistani forces overnight intensified concerns over national security, prompting authorities to put public safety ahead of sporting activities.

The BCCI said in an official statement that the IPL was halted with immediate effect and that “further updates regarding the new schedule and venues of the tournament will be announced in due course after a comprehensive assessment of the situation in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders.”

The suspension affects the final stretch of the tournament, which still had 12 group-stage games remaining before the knockout rounds. The final was originally scheduled for May 25 in Kolkata. This year’s 10-team competition has featured 65 international players from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Afghanistan.

The decision follows disruption during Thursday’s match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamshala, which was abandoned due to a government-ordered power blackout. In response to regional instability, Punjab’s next match against the Mumbai Indians had already been relocated from Dharamshala to Mumbai due to airport closures in northwestern India.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Friday that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) would be moved to the United Arab Emirates, citing security concerns. The PCB said growing unease among international players led to the relocation. The PSL had been underway in Rawalpindi, where officials reported an Indian drone crashed within the premises of the city’s cricket stadium just hours before a scheduled match featuring players from New Zealand, Australia, West Indies, South Africa, and England.