Inside foreign players’ chaotic PSL evacuation: Drone strikes, panic, and tears

Bangladesh all-rounder Rishad Hossain has now opened up about a harrowing experience that led to the hurried evacuation of several foreign players from the Pakistan Super League 2025 (Pic: AFP)

Updated On: 2025-05-11 07:56 PM IST

Compiled by : Srijanee Majumdar

Vendors pack their belongings as they leave Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium following the postponement of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) match after the alleged shooting of a drone outside the stadium in Rawalpindi (Pic: AFP)

Amid growing anxiety, Hossain and fellow Bangladeshi player Nahid Rana tried to remain composed, but the atmosphere around them was deeply unsettled

In response to the deteriorating security situation, the Pakistan Cricket Board arranged an emergency flight to Dubai for the overseas players. However, the sense of danger followed them even after takeoff. "We reached Dubai after overcoming a crisis. After landing, we heard a missile strike the airport 20 minutes after we took off. That was scary and sorrowful. We are now feeling relieved," Hossain told Cricbuzz

According to Hossain, several players were emotionally shaken, including well-known names like Sam Billings, Daryl Mitchell, Kusal Perera, David Wiese, and Tom Curran. He recounted that New Zealand’s Mitchell, upon landing in Dubai, firmly stated he would not return to Pakistan under such circumstances again

Yet, the most heart-wrenching scene came from England’s Tom Curran. Hossain shared that Curran had attempted to reach the airport, only to find it temporarily shut down. The emotional toll overwhelmed him. “He cried like a child. Two or three people had to hold him,” Hossain recalled

Tensions escalated dramatically after reports of missile threats circulated near Rawalpindi, one of the league’s key venues. Their departure wasn’t just abrupt, it was marked by fear, confusion, and a very real threat to their safety

Hossain noted how his own family in Bangladesh was under severe stress, following constant reports of explosions and missile warnings

He added, “Whenever I go out to play, my family worries. After hearing about bomb blasts and missile strikes in Pakistan, they were naturally tense. I consoled them as much as I could. Alhamdulillah we have reached Dubai after the crisis. I am feeling good now.”

This raises critical concerns about Pakistan's ability to safely host international players during volatile periods. The psychological impact is likely to linger. When players like Mitchell and Curran say they were terrified and may not return, it sends a damaging message

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