Category: Sports

Former Pakistan Test cricketer Basit Ali has suggested that the remaining matches of Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 should be held in Bangladesh instead of Dubai.

In a statement shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Basit Ali said, “PSL matches should be held in Bangladesh instead of Dubai because Bangladesh is our brotherly country, and fans come to the stadiums in large numbers there.”

He added that if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) takes this step, “it will receive overwhelming support from the public.”

It merits mention that the PCB had earlier suspended PSL 10 indefinitely following rising security concerns amid Indian aggression. However, recent reports suggest that PSL management has advised franchises to keep foreign players stationed in Dubai, while local players have been told to stay mentally prepared for the tournament’s resumption.

According to sources, players may also be asked to assemble in Islamabad soon, where a final decision regarding the continuation of PSL 10 is expected to be made.

Days after what was deemed by foreign observers as Pakistan’s “unambiguous victory” in response to Indian aggression, Peshawar Zalmi owner and Zalmi Foundation founder Javed Afridi has announced a donation of Rs50 million to honour the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

“Their unwavering courage, dedication and sacrifice are the heartbeat of our national pride. Today, we honour them not just with words but through meaningful action,” he said in a press statement. His franchise, Peshawar Zalmi, also released a statement expressing full support for the armed forces.

The announcement comes at a difficult time for the country. Along with national security concerns, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 has been suspended indefinitely. The decision was made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after drone activity was reported near Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, raising serious security concerns.

Pakistan had been experiencing tense days with airspace closures and missile alerts causing fear across major cities. While a ceasefire was agreed to with US mediation, the situation over the past week led to matches being postponed, foreign players leaving the country and the PCB eventually suspending the rest of the tournament.

While Afridi’s generous donation is being seen as a reminder that national unity is more important than sports, the Zalmi Foundation, which often works on social welfare projects, has also shifted its focus to supporting national security personnel. 

It merits a mention that Afridi, one of the key figures behind the success of Peshawar Zalmi and the PSL, continues to support the PCB’s decisions during this challenging time. He has also called on fans and players to remain united and hopeful.

Meanwhile, the future of PSL Season 10 may become clearer soon as the PCB is working on plans to resume the tournament.

New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell has denied reports from Indian media that he would not return to Pakistan, including for future Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches, calling the claims “inaccurate and misrepresentative.”

The false reports began circulating after PSL 10 was suspended amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Mitchell, who was playing for Lahore Qalandars in this year’s PSL for the first time, was among several foreign players who left Pakistan when the tournament was put on hold.

Clearing the air, Mitchell issued an official statement through his PSL franchise, Lahore Qalandars. He said, “It’s been tough to watch two countries that are so close to my heart in conflict over the past few days. My thoughts are with those affected on both sides.”

He also spoke about how emotional it was to leave the tournament midway, and expressed his affection for both Pakistan and India, where he has played in major cricket leagues.

He said, “Both the PSL and IPL have played major roles in my career, and I’ve always cherished my time in both tournaments. I hope peace prevails, and we can get back to playing the game we love and continue giving back to the amazing people who support us.”

Mitchell made it clear that he has not closed the door on playing in Pakistan again.

“It feels good to be heading home to my family, but I’m also looking forward to returning to both countries in the future, places I truly love spending time in,” he added.

His statement is a welcome sign for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and PSL franchises, who are currently in talks to resume the remaining matches of PSL 10.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is making efforts to resume Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10.

The tournament was abruptly halted with eight matches remaining, amid rising tensions between Pakistan and India. The suspension followed India’s military action against Pakistan in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, which India blamed on Pakistan without providing any evidence.

Now that the situation has eased following a ceasefire agreement on May 10, the PCB is holding key meetings to determine how and where the remaining matches can be held safely.

According to reports, the PCB is considering hosting the rest of the matches in Rawalpindi and Lahore, rather than shifting the tournament to another country. A final decision is expected within the next 48 hours.

The match between Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators, which was originally scheduled to take place in Multan, might also be moved to Rawalpindi or Lahore, depending on safety and travel arrangements.

The PCB is in discussions with all six PSL teams, and the teams are liaising with their foreign players to confirm their availability and willingness to return. Once these matters are finalised, a revised schedule will be shared. If all goes well, the updated match dates could be announced within a week.

Last week, the tournament was paused after a drone crashed near the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, raising serious safety concerns. As a result, all foreign players and media staff left Pakistan.

Despite these challenges, the PCB remains hopeful and is working diligently to resume the tournament in a safe manner.

Foreign players taking part in the tenth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) have left Pakistan due to rising tensions with India.

The players and staff were flown out on a special aircraft arranged by the Pakistan Air Force.

Reports said that the foreign broadcasting crew has also returned to their countries.

Meanwhile, some Indian media outlets claimed that the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) refused to host the remaining PSL matches in Dubai. However, these reports are false.

According to Emirati media, officials from the ECB have not rejected Pakistan’s request to hold the remaining PSL matches in the UAE. 

The board confirmed that no such decision had been made and that they had not stopped Pakistan from organizing the games.

On the other hand, PSL 10 has been postponed indefinitely in light of the current national situation, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Thursday.

According to the official statement from the PCB, the remaining eight matches of the tournament have been postponed. The decision was made after consultation with the Prime Minister, who advised that the nation’s focus should remain on the efforts of the Pakistan Army during this critical time.

The board stated that a new schedule for the remaining matches will be announced later.

Earlier, the PCB had announced plans to shift the remainder of the PSL 10 season from Pakistan to Dubai. However, in view of the developments over the past 24 hours, the league has now been suspended.

The ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India have cast a shadow over the cricketing world, leading to the indefinite postponement of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, while matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) have also been suspended.

According to media reports, the cancellation of IPL matches is causing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) a financial loss of ₹125 crores (PKR 4.11 billion) per match. With four games already called off, the Indian board has suffered losses exceeding ₹500 crores (PKR 16.45 billion).

If the entire tournament is cancelled, the estimated loss could surpass ₹3,000 crores (PKR 98.7 billion).

The financial blow includes losses from TV broadcasting rights, sponsorship deals and ticket sales. Franchise owners are reportedly anxious about the mounting losses and sponsors are now considering pulling out of their agreements.

A recent IPL match was abruptly halted mid-game, and spectators were evacuated from the stadium due to security concerns. The incident created panic among players, raising alarm over the safety of continuing the tournament amid the prevailing tension.

The situation escalated following the Pahalgam incident in Indian illegally occupied Kashmir on April 22. After this, in the early hours of Wednesday (May 7), India launched airstrikes across several areas in Pakistan, including Kotli, Bahawalpur, Muridke, Bagh, and Muzaffarabad. At least 30 civilians were reportedly martyred, with over 40 others injured.

In retaliation, the Pakistan Air Force shot down six Indian aircraft, including three Rafale jets. This marked the first time in history that a Rafale jet was brought down in combat.

A day later, on Thursday, Pakistan also shot down more than 30 Indian drones in various regions of the country.

However, on Friday night, India launched unprovoked missile attacks on Pakistani airbases.

After this, the Pakistan army launched “Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos” on the time of Fajr on May 10 and hit several Indian military sites, security sources said.

According to state-run PTV News, the operation began at 4:38 am, and by 5:52 am, Pakistan had destroyed a BrahMos missile storage site in Beas, as well as an air base in Adampur and an airfield in Pathankot.

At 6:29 am, PTV reported that Pakistani drones were flying over New Delhi, and by 7:13 am, PAF’s JF-17 Thunder jets had destroyed India’s S-400 missile defence system in Adampur, worth approximately $1.5 billion.

Speaking to a private TV channel, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar said Pakistan had no choice but to respond after India attacked Nur Khan Air Base, calling the strikes a defensive move.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with COAS Asim Munir, urging both countries to de-escalate. Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz Sharif has called a meeting of the National Command Authority (NCA) for further security decisions.

Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has found himself at the centre of controversy after sharing a message promoting peace amid the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India.

In a post shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Rayudu wrote: “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”

The post, shared shortly after the cancellation of the Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals due to security concerns amid looming Pakistan-India tensions, sparked a wave of criticism.

Many Indian social media users lashed out at Rayudu, with some even labelling him a “traitor” for advocating restraint during a time of heightened national emotions.

Following the Pahalgam incident, India launched airstrikes on several Pakistani cities, including Kotli, Bahawalpur, Muridke, Bagh, and Muzaffarabad. Pakistan retaliated with force, reportedly destroying several Indian military posts and even shooting down Rafale fighter jets, marking the first-ever combat loss of the French-made aircraft.

As tensions continue to rise, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been suspended. Several foreign players are reportedly preparing to exit the tournament amid growing security concerns.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already moved the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to Dubai. Now, there is a possibility that the IPL may shift its remaining matches to South Africa if the situation worsens.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been suspended indefinitely amid rising military tensions between Pakistan and India. The decision comes after Pakistan’s retaliatory actions in response to Indian strikes.

According to Indian media, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and IPL management held an emergency meeting. After careful deliberation, the board opted to suspend the tournament until further notice. More details on the suspension are expected to be released soon.

Just a day earlier, an IPL match in Dharamshala was abruptly halted. The stadium lights were switched off, and several foreign players reportedly began looking for flights to return home, reflecting growing concerns over safety amid the conflict.

The situation intensified following Indian airstrikes on Pakistan, which were met with a strong military response from the Pakistan Army. Pakistan’s civil and military leadership has reiterated that the country reserves the right to respond to any aggression in line with international law.

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated, “We will respond to India, and we will do it soon. The world will remember our reply.”

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that Pakistan’s response to India’s drone attacks is inevitable and will be decisive.

The future of the IPL remains uncertain as tensions in the region continue to rise, with both countries on high alert.

On the other hand, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already shifted the remaining Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches to Dubai. There is now speculation that the IPL may also move its remaining fixtures to South Africa if the situation worsens.