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.

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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.

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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.

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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.