The Board of Control for Cricket in India is reportedly considering suspending the Indian Premier League due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
Per Indian Express, the BCCI is open to following all options, including temporarily halting the league or changing the schedule.
“We are monitoring the situation, seeking the Government’s advice, and will take the final decision on the IPL tomorrow (Friday). The situation is changing day by day. We will do whatever we are told and inform all stakeholders. At the moment, our priority is the safety of all players, fans and stakeholders,” BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla told the daily on Thursday.
The IPL franchises have reportedly opened a communication line with overseas players to help them avoid any anxiety. The IPL franchises are also ready to facilitate travel back home if any overseas players want to leave. The BCCI would soon contact other cricket boards to share its plans about ensuring the safety of their players.
The IPL, THE most lucrative and widely followed T20 tournament globally, could face significant disruption if the BCCI decides to proceed with the suspension.
PSL to finish rest of season in UAE
In a related development, BBC reports that the Pakistan Super League will move the remaining matches of the season to the United Arab Emirates amid the ongoing tensions.
The PSL had been looking at all options for the remainder of the campaign, including halting the tournament for a number of weeks.
The exact schedule for the rest of the tournament, including dates and venues in the UAE, has yet to be confirmed.
Players at the PSL, including those from England, took part in an emergency meeting held by tournament organisers on Thursday.
PSL organisers remain keen for the tournament, which has eight fixtures outstanding, to be completed, but the safety of players remains their priority.
A senior Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official told BBC Sport: “If Rawalpindi is not safe, Lahore and Karachi are not safe because drones also attacked there. Any city of Pakistan is not safe because the drones have targeted smaller cities of Pakistan.”
Other leading overseas names in the PSL include Australian David Warner (Karachi Kings) and former West Indies captain Jason Holder (Islamabad United).
