While India and Pakistan remain involved in a military battle, cricket mediation appears to be silently playing its part. It is unstated that the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) failed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) demand to host the moved Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches following a push from Indian cricket administrators.
“When militias are failing at the border, we cannot keep silent,” a cricket official said.
Cricbuzz had earlier statedย about signs of a push from India, and the ECB’s decision now seems to support with that. The standing of Jay Shah – former BCCI administrator and current ICC Chair and his known ties with the UAE’s leadership and cricket board are understood to have played a important role.
“We repay it to the BCCI and Jay Bhai,” an ECB official told Cricbuzz, admitting the Indian role in the matter.
The Pakistan Board wanted to crowd its remaining eight PSL games in Dubai and even made a public statement that the league was being shifted to Dubai. But it had to do a volte face hours later stating that the league was being suspended. It was evident that foreign players, participating in the PSL, were not disposed to continue.
“We, at the PCB, also have honest regard for the mental well-being of participating players and the opinions of our foreign players, and we respect the concerns of their families who want to see them back home,” the PCB said, admitting that the players were not willing to continue in the league. Four league matches and four play-off games were left to be played.
After originally agreeing to PCB’s proposal, the ECB first banned the request to use Dubai International Cricket Stadium and is then understood to have quoted an exorbitant amount that was beyond a cash-strapped PCB.
With tensions between India and Pakistan ongoing, the future of the PSL remains indefinite.
