PSL players in fear after India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ against terrorists

On May 6, 2025, India conducted "Operation Sindoor," a cross-border military operation designed to target important terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation was in direct response to the April 22, 2025, terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, that killed 26 individuals, who were primarily Hindu tourists. India blamed this attack on militant groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)

which are suspected to be based in Pakistani territory. Nine locations were targeted in the operation, including the bases of these militant groups in urban centers like Bahawalpur and Muridke. Indian forces employed precision-guided bombs and drones to conduct these attacks, ensuring minimal collateral damage and avoiding Pakistani military bases. In spite of this, Pakistan had alleged civilian casualties and damage to religious buildings, further heightening tensions. Pakistan decried the strikes as an "act of war," and retaliated by shelling Indian-held Kashmir, causing further escalation of civilian casualties.

This has created a standoff between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, each resorting to aggressive rhetoric. The global community, including the United Nations and the great powers such as the U.S., U.K., China, and Russia, has urged de-escalation of the conflict. Nevertheless, with continued fighting and allegations of military operations, there is fear that the conflict may escalate into a full-scale war, and peace mediation efforts are imperative.

Praying India and Pakistan situation deescalates asap 🙏🏼

— Sam Billings (@sambillings) May 6, 2025

Don’t worry bro. This is Pak army they know how to handle the Cowardly enemy

— Chaudhry 🚩 (@ALee_Chaudhry_1) May 6, 2025

Western governments must have no agenda but de-escalation in the deeply troubling conflict between India and Pakistan.

Further, India must make reparations and apologies for its utterly unprovoked attack on a fellow sovereign state.

— John Urquhart 🎄 #AintAsking 𓅿 (@TheDryhtscipe) May 7, 2025

Praying for De Escalation between Pakistan and India. There are no winners if War is to happen, many many lives will be lost. #notowar #PakistanIndiaTensions 🤲🏽

— Qasim Sheikh (@sheikhyssj1) May 1, 2025

 

Also see: WATCH: Tilak Varma playing pickleball with Vijay Deverakonda before MI vs GT showdown in IPL 2025

Pakistan Super League 2025: A cricketing extravaganza

The 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL) is ongoing and enters its tenth season, which kicked off on April 11, 2025. The PCP-organized tournament consists of six teams: Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators. The league is based on a double round-robin system, with each team competing against every other team twice. The top four teams then move on to the playoffs, with the grand final to be held on May 18, 2025, in Lahore. Mohammad Rizwan of Multan Sultans has been one of the best performers, having scored 363 runs, while Islamabad United's Jason Holder and Karachi Kings' Abbas Afridi have topped the bowling charts with 15 wickets each.

In spite of the high degree of competition, the PSL has not been free of controversy. There have been calls for boycotts and protests, mostly by pro-Palestinian associations, because of the participation of companies that are seen to be aligned with pro-Israeli positions. This has resulted in reduced fan turnout at some matches, particularly in Karachi. Also, organizational challenges such as traffic congestion and subpar security arrangements have affected the fan experience, which has generated criticism against the organization of the tournament. Even with these setbacks, the PSL remains a top event on the cricket calendar, bringing in international players and fans alike, and providing a platform for developing cricketing stars from Pakistan and the rest of the world.