ECB’s decision comes amid rising India-Pakistan tensions and pressure from Indian cricket authorities
The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has refused a request from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to relocate the remaining matches of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 to the UAE, reportedly following strong influence from Indian cricket officials including former BCCI president and current ICC chairman Jay Shah, reported outlookbusiness.com.
The decision came shortly after the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir that killed 26 people and significantly escalated India–Pakistan tensions. In light of these developments, the PCB initially announced the relocation of the remaining eight PSL matches to Dubai but later postponed the league indefinitely.
PSL 2025 postponed indefinitely as UAE prioritizes ties with Indian cricket authorities over hosting remaining matches.
While the PCB cited advice from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and security concerns as reasons, a Cricbuzz reportrevealed that the ECB’s refusal was also influenced by their close ties with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“We owe it to the BCCI and Jay Bhai,” an ECB official was quoted as saying, referring to the relationship built during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the UAE hosted IPL matches and the 2021 T20 World Cup.
The PCB, lacking the financial and logistical resources of the BCCI, has been left with no viable alternative for hosting PSL matches overseas, throwing the tournament’s future into uncertainty.
On May 9, 2025, the PCB issued a statement announcing the postponement of PSL 2025, citing intensified LoC hostilities, drone incursions, and missile threats from India.
“The decision to postpone has been taken pursuant to advice received from Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif,” the PCB noted. The board also expressed concerns over player safety and mental well-being, acknowledging that foreign players and their families were increasingly anxious about staying in the region.
