Pakistan Super League Resumes Amid Ceasefire

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025, also referred to as HBL PSL X, is set to resume on May 17, 2025, following a dramatic suspension due to escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the resumption after a ceasefire agreement brought temporary relief to the region, allowing cricket to reclaim the spotlight. The remaining eight matches, originally disrupted by security concerns, will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore, with the grand final scheduled for May 25, 2025.

The PSL faced significant challenges when tensions flared after a terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 people. India’s subsequent missile strikes, dubbed Operation Sindoor, targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan, prompting the PCB to postpone the league on May 9, 2025. An initial plan to relocate matches to the UAE was thwarted when the Emirates Cricket Board, influenced by ties with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), declined to host due to security concerns.

The suspension led to chaotic evacuations, with around 43 overseas players, including stars like David Warner, Jason Holder, and Daryl Mitchell, flown out of Pakistan from a Rawalpindi airbase. Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who played for Lahore Qalandars, recounted the fear among foreign players, with England’s Tom Curran visibly shaken and New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell vowing never to return. Despite these challenges, the PCB is working to reconfirm overseas player participation, though some, particularly from Quetta Gladiators, may not return, except for Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis.

Before the pause, Quetta Gladiators, led by Rilee Rossouw, topped the points table and secured a playoff spot, while Multan Sultans, captained by Mohammad Rizwan, were eliminated after losing eight of nine games. Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi Kings, and Lahore Qalandars remain in contention, with upcoming matches like Peshawar Zalmi vs. Karachi Kings on May 17 and Quetta Gladiators vs. Multan Sultans on May 18 set to reignite the competition.

The resumption, under intensified security protocols and controlled attendance, reflects Pakistan’s determination to continue its premier T20 league despite geopolitical challenges. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi emphasized the league’s return as a celebration of cricket’s spirit, posting on X, “PSL X picks up from where it left off! 6 teams, 0 fear.” However, the absence of some overseas stars and the rescheduling of Pakistan’s upcoming series against Bangladesh highlight the lingering impact of the crisis.