UAE Set to Decline Hosting Final PSL Matches Due to India-Pakistan Conflict: Report

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The Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) contingency plan to shift the final leg of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 to the United Arab Emirates is facing serious hurdles.

Sources within the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) have indicated that the board is "unlikely to approve" PCB's request to host the remaining matches, citing regional instability and rising border tensions between India and Pakistan as per a report by PTI.

While the PCB officially announced its decision to relocate the last eight PSL fixtures - initially scheduled in Rawalpindi, Multan, and Lahore - the ECB appears increasingly reluctant to proceed.

A PTI source close to the ECB said: "Security concerns potentially emanating from the rising tension between India and Pakistan."

The same source also pointed to geopolitical sensitivities influencing the ECB's hesitation.
"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 UAE, which is home to a large South Asian population, is being cautious of hosting a high-stakes cricket tournament during such a volatile period.
"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."

Despite these concerns, the PCB earlier confirmed that the schedule and venue details for the UAE-leg of PSL 2025 will be announced soon. Meanwhile, Thursday's scheduled match between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings in Rawalpindi was called off.

The political backdrop is highly charged, following India's recent missile strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir - a retaliation for the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.

As the situation evolves, cricket administrators now find themselves navigating not just logistics, but also diplomatic sensitivities and public safety in a time of conflict.