Tensions persist, India suspends IPL and Pakistan postpones PSL

The Indian Premier League (IPL) was suspended for one week on Friday while the Pakistan Super League (PSL) postponed its remaining matches in the wake of the ongoing conflict between the neighbours.

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"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to suspend the remainder of the ongoing IPL 2025 with immediate effect for one week," secretary Devajit Saikia said in a statement on Friday.

The IPL governing council consulted the franchises and players and "considered it prudent to act in the collective interest of all stakeholders," he said.

"While cricket remains a national passion, there is nothing greater than the nation and its sovereignty, integrity, and security of our country," Saikia added.

"The BCCI remains firmly committed to support all efforts that safeguard India and will always align its decisions in the best interest of the nation."

Asked if players and support staff from abroad had been given the option to return home if they felt uncomfortable, BCCI secretary Saikia told Reuters: "That's not our domain. It's for the individual franchises to decide what they want to do with their foreign recruits."

The IPL still has 12 group matches left, which are due to be followed by the playoffs culminating in the May 25 final in Kolkata. New dates and venues for the remaining matches will be declared "in due course", said Saikia.

'RESPECTFUL PAUSE:' The conflict took its toll on the other side of the border as well with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) initially deciding to move the last eight PSL games to the United Arab Emirates.