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In a dramatic turn of events, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been rocked by geopolitical tensions, leading to the cancellation of the highly anticipated match between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings, scheduled for Thursday at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The cancellation comes in the wake of precision airstrikes carried out by Indian Armed Forces, targeting key terror camps and air defence installations across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which had initially declared that PSL would continue unaffected, is now in crisis mode. Foreign players, reportedly “in deep shock,” are seeking urgent exits from the country, citing escalating security concerns. According to sources quoted by IANS, “Many players are keen to leave immediately. The PCB will consult the government before taking the next steps.” In response to India’s airstrikes, Pakistan attempted retaliatory attacks on multiple military sites across Northern and Western India during the night of May 7–8, using drones and missiles. However, Indian authorities confirmed on Thursday morning that one of Pakistan’s key air defence radars in Lahore was successfully neutralised. In light of these developments, PCB officials are reportedly considering shifting the remaining PSL matches to alternative venues, including Karachi, Doha, and Dubai. An emergency meeting with all PSL franchises is set to take place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday to discuss the future course of action. As the PCB also weighs the fate of the upcoming T20I home series against Bangladesh, the sudden disruption casts a shadow over Pakistan’s cricketing calendar and underscores the vulnerability of sports amid rising geopolitical hostilities. Source: NDTV

Following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, tensions between India and Pakistan have once again spilled into the world of cricket. Pakistan women’s cricket opener Gull Feroza has openly stated that her team is “not interested” in playing matches in India during the upcoming ODI World Cup. Speaking to PakPassion, Feroza hinted that Pakistan hopes the tournament will be staged in neutral venues like Sri Lanka or Dubai, citing their preference for familiar Asian conditions. “We are not playing in India. This is clear,” she emphasized. The BCCI remains the official host for the Women’s ODI World Cup, scheduled for September-October. However, with the ICC already permitting hybrid models for India-Pakistan matches in recent tournaments, a neutral venue could be used once again for clashes involving the two nations. The situation has intensified after the deadly Pahalgam attack, which left 26 civilians dead. Cricketing ties between India and Pakistan remain limited to ICC and ACC tournaments, as bilateral series have been suspended for years. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly also suggested ending all cricketing relations with Pakistan, although no final decision has been taken by the BCCI yet. Source: Mint

In the aftermath of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC), requesting that India and Pakistan not be placed in the same group in future ICC tournaments. This move reflects a growing reluctance from the Indian board to engage in any form of cricketing ties with Pakistan. For over a decade, the arch-rivals have found themselves placed in the same group across various ICC events, largely due to the commercial pull of the fixture. However, BCCI’s latest communication, reported by Cricbuzz, indicates a strong stance post the April 22 incident. BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla had already made it clear that India has no intention of engaging in bilateral series with Pakistan. Now, the board is reportedly aiming to limit encounters even on the global stage, citing the ongoing political and security tensions. While the BCCI hasn’t issued a public statement, insiders suggest they will remain silent on the matter for now, especially with no immediate ICC tournaments involving both nations scheduled—barring the women’s ODI World Cup later this year. Interestingly, Pakistan’s matches in upcoming ICC events are expected to be played outside Indian territory, as per a prior agreement tied to the 2025 Champions Trophy. The hosting rights for this year’s men’s Asia Cup remain with India, although the venue is yet to be confirmed. September is being eyed for the tournament, and it remains unclear whether the two cricketing giants will be drawn into the same group again. The last Asia Cup followed a hybrid model, where India refused to travel to Pakistan. Most matches, including the final, were held in Sri Lanka, where India defeated the hosts in a dominant 10-wicket win led by Mohammed Siraj. Source: India Today

The much-anticipated IPL 2025 season opener between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens faces a serious threat of abandonment due to heavy rain forecasts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for Kolkata on March 22, predicting thunderstorms and significant rainfall in the region. According to Accuweather, there is a 74% chance of rain on Saturday, with cloud cover expected at 97%. The probability of showers rises to 90% in the evening, increasing concerns over whether the match can proceed. Adding to scheduling challenges, KKR’s home game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 6 is also set to be relocated to Guwahati. The shift comes after West Bengal police cited security concerns due to Ram Navami celebrations, with over 20,000 processions planned across the state. Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Snehasish Ganguly confirmed the development, stating that rescheduling the match in Kolkata was not feasible. Despite these uncertainties, the IPL 2025 opening ceremony remains on track, featuring performances by Disha Patani and Shreyas Ghoshal. Fans will be hoping for a break in the weather to ensure the blockbuster KKR vs. RCB clash takes place as planned. Source: NDTV