The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the postponement of the remaining eight matches of the HBL PSL 2025 due to a significant escalation in cross-border tensions. According to the PCB, the last 24 hours have seen heightened hostilities along the Line of Control (LoC), including increased drone incursions and reported missile activity from India. While there were earlier reports suggesting the matches might be shifted to the UAE, the PCB has not provided any new dates or timelines for the tournament’s resumption.

🚨 PCB STATEMENT ON PSL X. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/qgEzBDC7KX

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The decision to suspend the league was made following advice from Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who emphasized prioritizing national security amid rising conflict. The PCB’s statement accused India of reckless aggression and stated that the country’s attention must now be with the armed forces, who are actively defending Pakistan’s sovereignty. Expressing solidarity with the military and the families of the martyrs, the PCB said that while cricket is a powerful unifying force, it must respectfully pause when the nation faces such intense external threats.

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The PCB also acknowledged the dedicated support of its players, franchises, sponsors, broadcasters, and organizers who contributed to the successful running of PSL 2025 until now. Despite the disruption, the board reaffirmed its commitment to completing the tournament when conditions permit. Until then, the PCB emphasized that national unity and security take precedence over sport, and updates regarding the league’s future will be shared in due course once the situation stabilizes.

UAE have denied hosting of PSL: Reports

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) was abruptly halted following a suspected drone attack near Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, leading to the cancellation of the ongoing match and suspension of the tournament. In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) explored relocating the remaining fixtures to the United Arab Emirates. However, this plan has hit a roadblock as tensions between India and Pakistan continue to rise.

According to a PTI report, UAE officials have declined PCB’s request to host the remainder of PSL, citing heightened regional security concerns. The Emirates Cricket Board, which has previously collaborated with the BCCI to host major tournaments like IPL and the T20 World Cup, has not provided specific reasons publicly. However, speculation suggests the refusal may be linked to Pakistan's recent military actions along the Indian border, further complicating the tournament’s resumption and highlighting the broader geopolitical impact on international sporting events.