In a potential setback for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has turned down the request to host matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025. The PCB had earlier announced that the second phase of its flagship T20 tournament would take place in the UAE. However, this plan has failed now.
As reported by PTI, the ECB has raised serious reservations about moving forward with the PSL, citing “security concerns potentially emanating from the rising tension between India and Pakistan” as the primary reason. The board is said to be cautious about being viewed as too closely aligned with the PCB, a perception that could have emerged if it would have agreed to host the event.
A source quoted in the report elaborated on the ECB’s stance, stating, “The Emirates Cricket Board has enjoyed a strong relationship with BCCI in recent years having hosted the ‘India’ edition of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, editions of the IPL as well as India matches during ICC Champions Trophy 2025.” The source further emphasized the regional sensitivity, adding, “The UAE has a diverse South Asian population which enjoys cricket. Hosting a tournament like the PSL in the midst of such tense circumstances could vitiate harmony, pose security risks and stir unnecessary friction between communities.”
Currently, four remaining league-stage matches and the playoff rounds of PSL 2025 are slated to be held in the Pakistani cities of Rawalpindi, Multan, and Lahore. According to intelligence officials, the ECB’s decision has been influenced by a recent escalation in hostilities, specifically, a retaliatory drone strike by India targeting military sites in Pakistan, including one that impacted the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
However, as per the latest reports, after UAE’s disapproval of hosting remaining matches, PCB has now postponed PSL indefinitely.
