PSL matches shifted, players asked to leave Rawalpindi immediately: Report

People gather outside a street near the Rawalpindi cricket stadium after an alleged drone was shot down in Rawalpindi on May 8 (Pic: AFP)

In the wake of intensifying geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board has reportedly advised players participating in the ongoing Pakistan Super League to vacate Rawalpindi.

Each franchise includes five to six overseas cricketers, making the directive a significant logistical and reputational challenge for the PCB. The PSL had served as a key revenue stream for the board, especially following financial setbacks after the postponement of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Amid security concerns following a suspected drone strike on the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, just hours before a scheduled match on Thursday, reports suggest the remaining PSL fixtures may be relocated to alternate venues in Karachi, Doha, or Dubai.

The Rawalpindi venue, which has hosted over 50 international matches and numerous domestic games, was set to hold matches on May 8, 9, and 10. The final group match is scheduled for May 11 in Multan. The Qualifier was originally planned for May 13 in Rawalpindi, while the eliminators and the finale were slated for May 14, 16, and 18, respectively, at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Earlier on Wednesday, the PCB had maintained that the tournament would proceed uninterrupted despite mounting regional tensions, particularly following the launch of 'Operation Sindoor' by Indian armed forces. However, the security landscape has deteriorated rapidly. According to PTI, a PCB source confirmed on Wednesday that while no formal exit requests from international players had been received, the board was evaluating contingency measures.

The drone incident occurred shortly after Pakistan reportedly attempted to target 15 military sites in India. In retaliation, Indian forces dismantled key air defense infrastructure in Lahore. Pakistan Army spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that drones had been intercepted in multiple locations, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Karachi, and others.

This surge in hostilities follows an earlier attack in South Kashmir's Pahalgam, which New Delhi attributed to Pakistani-backed militants, a claim Islamabad denies. Since then, both nations have exchanged fire along the Line of Control (LoC), fueling concerns of a broader escalation between the two nuclear-armed adversaries.