The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is treading on thin ice while considering the risk of their upcoming white-ball tour of Pakistan, which commences on May 21, 2025. The tour includes five T20 matches in Faisalabad and Lahore under a cloud, given rising tensions between India and Pakistan that have already led to cancellations of the IPL and PSL. With the world of cricket on tenterhooks, the BCB is in continuous discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to gauge the situation, leaving fans such as myself pondering if the tour is set to go through.

Safety of players is at the forefront of the BCB's minds, and they're not leaving anything to chance. In a recent statement, the board made it clear: “Every decision about this tour will be made after fully assessing the situation in Pakistan. We will do what is best for our team and for Bangladesh cricket.” The geopolitical instability, accentuated by India's Operation Sindoor and a recent drone attack close to Rawalpindi, has placed global cricket in the region on unstable footing, and the BCB is not inclined to jeopardize their team's health in an unstable environment.

Before heading to Pakistan, Bangladesh is gearing up for a brief stop in the UAE, where they’ll face the United Arab Emirates in two T20Is on May 17 and 19 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. This series is a crucial part of their preparation for the Pakistan tour—if it happens. With an international-packed calendar on their schedule, culminating in the impending 2026 T20 World Cup, the BCB has its priority in getting players match-fit, prioritizing safety second.

PSL Fallout and Bangladesh's Next Steps

The suspension of PSL 2025 has already impacted Bangladesh players, with Rishad Hossain of Lahore Qalandars and Nishad Rana of Peshawar Zalmi returning to Dhaka after the league was halted on May 9. Both players, who are both key components of the Bangladesh T20 setup, are going to arrive with the national team for their tour of UAE on Wednesday and will now shift their attention to international affairs.

BCB involved in "active discussions" with PCB on upcoming Pakistan tour#BCB #PCBhttps://t.co/RO7wzwE4s1

— CricketNDTV (@CricketNDTV) May 11, 2025

Also Read: Will PSL 2025 restart? Foreign players refuse to return; no one wants to play in Pakistan

The BCB is obviously prioritizing the safety of their players and getting them set for their series in the UAE and possible tour of Pakistan. With tensions boiling over, the cricketing fraternity waits to see if Bangladesh will turn out in Pakistan—or if this tour is another victim of geopolitical tensions.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 is hanging in the balance, with foreign players not wanting to return in the wake of heightened India-Pakistan tensions. The tournament was put on hold on May 9, 2025, after a drone attack outside Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium created mass hysteria, prompting the PCB to delay matches indefinitely. With the IPL also suspended owing to Operation Sindoor—a counterattack in response to border incursions—subcontinent cricket is in shambles.

Foreign players, crucial to the PSL's international popularity, are taking safety precautions first, leaving the PCB in a state of panic. There were reports of players such as Australia's David Warner and New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell swearing never to come back to Pakistan, while England's Tom Curran was visibly shaken throughout the incident. South Africa's Andries Gous, who was scheduled to make his debut for Islamabad United, also withdrew, citing the volatile atmosphere. The PCB had first thought about relocating matches to Karachi, but as things deteriorated, the idea fell apart, further worsening the crisis.

The PCB is keen to save the season, particularly with playoff places at stake—Lahore Qalandars (9 points) and Peshawar Zalmi (8 points) were in the running before the suspension. An attempt to relocate to the UAE fell through, as the Emirates Cricket Board distanced itself to avoid straining ties with the BCCI, who’ve hosted IPL editions there. With no clear venue and fading player confidence, the PSL’s future looks bleak, leaving fans like me wondering if we’ll see any more action this year.

Can the PSL Bounce Back?

The PCB has a daunting task ahead: getting overseas players back on the field while keeping them safe. There are negotiations to postpone matches in a neutral country, potentially Sri Lanka, but there is no clear timeline yet. Cricket was already disrupted, as two Pakistan domestic tournaments were postponed, and the PCB has to move quickly to regain people's trust or face postponing the entire season, a huge loss for fans and players.

Also Read: India's likely squad for the 2025 England Test Series Without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

With global stars absent, the PSL loses its glamour, and that is well-known to the board. Global stars are the measure of a league's strength as well as watchability, and with today's environment, even that does not appear so real anymore. Hope the PCB somehow manages to deliver cricket once more in safety—fingers crossed for it all to resolve ASAP!

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 has been shaken into chaos following the growing tensions between India and Pakistan, compelling the delay in matches and causing players to live in fear. A PSL celebrity exposed the level of fear, citing New Zealand cricketer Daryl Mitchell, who was said to have said that he would "never go to Pakistan again" after the traumatizing experience. The situation worsened when there was a drone attack close to Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, causing a game between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings to be canceled. The attack caused overseas players to run away to Dubai for safety as the security situation went from bad to worse.

There was an atmosphere of fear among theplayers,s with some international stars such as Sam Billings, Kushal Perera, David Wiese, and Tom Curran showing their discomfort. One of the players, Rishad, in Dubai airport, described how terrified the team felt in the uncertainty, underlining the psychological cost to the cricketers. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was initially against calling off the tournament, butthe deterioratingg geopolitical situation, with the added provocation of India's military response after a terror attack in Pahalgam, left them with no option. The PCB has since shifted the remaining PSL fixtures to theUAE  in an attempt to save the season.

The broader cricketing landscape has also been affected, with the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 suspending its matches for a week amid security concerns in India. This broader disruption shines a spotlight on the dilemmas of organizing major sporting events in an area with political tensions. The high levels of fear articulated by Mitchell and others raise major issues concerning the viability of international cricket in Pakistan - a country that has worked so very hard to re-establish itself as a viable place to host major global tournaments since before the attacks in 2009.

A Climate of Uncertainty for Cricket

The PSLL 2025 delay is a great setback to Pakistan's cricketing aspirations and brings under question its future suitability to host international competitions. The drone attack, termed "extremely irresponsible" by PCB chair Mohsin Naqvi, hasfurtheredd the insecurity among officials and players. Moving to Dubai might guarantee the end of the tournament but reflects the continuing challenges in restoring global confidenceinr Pakistan.

"All Of Them Were So Frightened, Daryl Mitchell Said He Would Never Go To Pakistan Again": PSL Star#PSL2025 https://t.co/dZUFJlSOqB

— CricketNDTV (@CricketNDTV) May 10, 2025

Also Read: PSL 2025 Setback: ECB turns down PCB request after Indian cricket’s silent push

At the same time, the suspension of the IPL is an indication of how geopolitical tensions within the subcontinent have the potential to upset even the largest of leagues. The PCB and BCCI alike now have the unenviable task of ensuring that players are safe while also appeasing fans and sponsors. The risk that players like Mitchell have mentioned is a wake-up call to the precarious interplay between politics and sport, and it is anything but certain how cricket in the region will unfold.

Over the years, cricket has been more than just a sport—it’s been a celebration of national pride and international unity. Even this beloved game, however, has not been spared from the effects of terrorism. Various series and tournaments have been interrupted, delayed, or outright cancelled as a result of terrorist threats or attacks. Even with tight security protocols by cricketing boards and international organizations, these horrific incidents have cast shadows over the sport. Following are a few of the most important instances when cricket was suspended due to terror-related activities:

February 1996—World Cup Forfeits in Sri Lanka

Both Australia and the West Indies declined to play their respective matches in Colombo during the 1996 Cricket World Cup after a fatal bombing at the Central Bank, claiming the lives of 91 people and wounding more than 1,400. With guarantees of excellent security by the Sri Lankan board and the ICC, both sides lost their matches by default. Both Sri Lanka and Australia were then awarded full points, and Sri Lanka ultimately achieved their first World Cup victory.

May 2002—New Zealand's Karachi Exit

New Zealand cancelled their tour of Pakistan mid-tour following a huge explosion outside their Karachi hotel. The bomb, targeting French naval staff, exploded just before the second Test match. Although no cricketers were badly hurt, New Zealand physio Dayle Shackel received minor injuries. The tour was cancelled forthwith following emergency consultations.

February 2003—World Cup Walkovers

In the 2003 ODI World Cup, England did not play in Zimbabwe on grounds of safety and politics, and New Zealand did not play in Kenya for fear of terrorism. Both forfeitures had a major impact on the tournament—Zimbabwe progressed to the Super Sixes, and Kenya made its first-ever semi-final entry.

Also Read: Cricketers with military Background: Serving both nation and game

July 2006—Tri-Series Cancelled in Sri Lanka

A tri-series among India, South Africa, and Sri Lanka was abandoned after South Africa withdrew because of bomb explosions in Colombo that were connected with the LTTE. Even though there was no direct threat to the players, Cricket South Africa felt that it was too risky. As India remained behind, a planned game was rain-washed, and efforts to reorganize the series into a bilateral one ensued.

April 2008—Australia Cancels Pakistan Tour

Australia canceled their Pakistan tour as a result of mounting terrorist violence in Islamabad. Cricket Australia cited a failure to secure player safety. Even after talks with the PCB and ICC, the series was shelved rather than being hosted at a neutral location.

September 2008—Champions Trophy Postponed

The 2008 ICC Champions Trophy, to be held originally in Pakistan, was rescheduled after five countries, including England and Australia, declined to tour because of concerns over terrorism. Although Pakistan kept hosting rights initially, the event was later moved and conducted in South Africa.

November 2008—Mumbai Attacks and Champions League T20

The first Champions League T20 was abandoned after the horrific terrorist attacks in Mumbai on November 26. Games were to be conducted at grounds such as the Brabourne Stadium, and the players were going to reside at the Taj Mahal Hotel, which was one of the sites under attack. The tournament was postponed to 2009.

November 2008 - England's 2008 India Tour

The Mumbai terror attacks of November 26, 2008, put England's India tour on hold, scrapping the last two ODIs following a Cuttack match. The Test series resumed with venues moved to Chennai and Mohali under tight security. India won 1-0, with the Chennai Test beginning December 11.

March 2009—Sri Lankan Team Attacked in Lahore

On March 3, 2009, the Sri Lankan team bus was ambushed by terrorists while traveling to Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. The ambush killed six security officials and two civilians, injuring some players in the process. The attack caused the Test match to be canceled and marked the isolation of Pakistan from international cricket for years.

Also Read: Will number one team on points table crowned as IPL 2025 winner?

March 2019—Christchurch Mosque Shooting

Bangladesh's cricket team escaped a fatal shooting at Masjid Al Noor in Christchurch, New Zealand, by a narrow margin. The third test was cancelled forthwith after the players, who had come for Friday prayers, ran away from the area. The ICC was in full agreement with the decision, and the team came back safely.

May 2025—IPL Suspended Amid Tensions

In May 2025, the BCCI postponed the Indian Premier League (IPL) for a week due to terrorist attacks in Pahalgam and increased border tensions. The incident led to the abandonment of a match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala. Relocation overseas and additional scheduling are being considered with safety as the priority.

These events remind us that cricket, even as a source of unity, is not immune to the forces of international strife. Each cancellation or abandonment bears the burden of lives lost and nations rattled—but also the abiding strength of the sport.

The 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) experienced a strange and unforeseen interruption in the middle of the tournament, as nothing like this has ever happened in the league's too-short history. Halfway through the tournament, with most teams gaining steam, fans and franchises alike were stunned when the IPL was abruptly paused during what would have been an exciting finale to the dual-identified cricketing festival. The immediate next step was an obvious question: what happens to the franchise that is topping the points table?

When the league was suspended, from a standings perspective, there was one team at the top of the standings due to strong, consistent performances, winning tickets away from home (notably winning all of their away matches), and achieving a competitive net run rate. The team had performed on par to be the favorites to win the tournament based on form, as well as net run rate. Interestingly, unlike most sports leagues that state that an entity at the top of the standings will be declared champions if the league is not completed, the IPL has a playoff format, which would have been difficult (obviously) because of the impossibility of the IPL 2025 playoffs.

In the past, the IPL has provided winners through a four-step playoff, where the top 4 teams are determined through records at the end of the league. This structure enumerately states the final winner has been successful throughout the tournament, but has also thrived in identifying pressure in all critical knockout competitions. In light of the 2025 IPL playoffs not happening, should the league organization look at crowning the table toppers as Champions?

Implications of a Suspended Season

Whether or not a winner is declared in a suspended season is fraught with implications for the team legacies, financial bonuses, and the emotions of the fans. Naming the first place team as the winner might feel correct because, after all, they finished first in the process, but it departs from the IPL history of crowning the playoff winner as champion. This could set a controversial precedent for the future.

Also Read: Remaining IPL 2025 to host outside India amid India-Pakistan tension?

If a decision is made not to crown any winner of the suspended season, then questions will be asked about the fate of the team that, in the fifth year of IPL, found themselves as the first-place team on that suspended season’s points table. Will they be regarded as the rightful winner? Will they be aware that their team tried very hard to stay at the top of the table? The impact is similar for the leading team's sponsors, player bonuses based on full-season outcomes, and the morale of an entire team. The BCCI is tasked with this hard decision based on what appears to be fairness and endless integrity as it pertains to the format of the tournament.

In conclusion, the IPL 2025 number one team on the points table has a compelling case for the BCCI's consideration of them to be named champions if the system were to be adopted as the rationale for reason; i.e., there were five years of IPL under this system and with no playoffs to follow. Fair, or not? Nevertheless, suspending the season matters, whether there is a name or not, or just disappointing the fans and accusing the BCCI of lost integrity.