Storm clouds are gathering over Pakistan cricket yet again. The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) backup plan to host the final leg of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 in the UAE now appears to be on shaky ground. Reports suggest that the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) is reluctant to greenlight the proposal. The reason? Rising India-Pakistan tensions following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent military strikes have sparked serious security concerns.

Despite the PCB’s public announcement that the remaining eight PSL matches would move from Rawalpindi, Multan and Lahore to the UAE, the decision might collapse even before the schedule sees daylight. Sources inside the ECB have hinted that the board is uncomfortable aligning with Pakistan during such a volatile phase. One insider said,

"Security concerns potentially emanating from the rising tension between India and Pakistan."

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For the UAE, it’s more than just cricket—it's diplomacy, reputation, and social harmony at stake. The Emirates has, in recent years, hosted key Indian events like IPL editions and the India-leg of the 2021 T20 World Cup. Their relationship with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is strong, and that bond isn’t worth jeopardising over last-minute PSL fixtures.

Dubai, the global cricket nerve centre housing the ICC headquarters, is currently led by Jay Shah, a former BCCI secretary. With so much Indian influence in the region, the ECB seems wary of disrupting the balance. The ECB source revealed,

"The Emirates Cricket Board has enjoyed a strong relationship with BCCI in recent years having hosted the 'India' edition of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, editions of the IPL as well as India matches during ICC Champions Trophy 2025."

There’s also the matter of public safety. The UAE’s massive South Asian population includes Indians and Pakistanis alike. Hosting Pakistan’s league during a diplomatic crisis could fan community tensions and risk public harmony. The source added,

"The UAE has a diverse South Asian population which enjoys cricket. Hosting a tournament like the PSL in the midst of such tense circumstances could vitiate harmony, pose security risks and stir unnecessary friction between communities."

Meanwhile, ’s announcement about shifting the matches still holds—at least officially. The dates and venues remain “to be decided.” But after the abrupt cancellation of the Peshawar Zalmi vs Karachi Kings clash in Rawalpindi, the signs are clear: cricket may soon take a backseat to geopolitics.