The escalating conflict between India and Pakistan has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, leading to the suspension of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the postponement of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The fallout may soon impact Bangladesh’s cricket calendar and even threaten the staging of this year’s Asia Cup.
According to a report by the Times of India, India is unlikely to participate in the Asia Cup or proceed with their scheduled tour of Bangladesh. Instead, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly eyeing the August-September window to complete the halted IPL season—should the situation allow.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed late Friday night that the remaining eight matches of the PSL’s 10th edition have been postponed. This decision came barely a day after the PCB had announced plans to move the remaining fixtures to the UAE. However, worsening security concerns prompted a change of course.
The PCB began flying players and officials to the UAE on Thursday. Among those evacuated were Bangladesh players Nahid Rana and Rishad Hossain, who were participating in the PSL. Two Bangladeshi journalists also accompanied the players. From the UAE, the group is expected to return home to Bangladesh.
“In this situation, a collective effort is being made to find a solution,” Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Faruque Ahmed said in a video message on Friday. “A meeting was held yesterday and they will try to ensure that at some point today all the cricketers are moved from Pakistan to a safe place.”
The BCB’s immediate priority has been to ensure the safe exit of its cricketers and journalists from Pakistan. But with the PSL suspended and tensions rising, the future of the planned five-match T20I series between Pakistan and Bangladesh, scheduled to start on May 25 in Faisalabad, looks increasingly uncertain.
The Tigers were due to arrive in Pakistan on May 21, but the BCB has yet to make a formal decision on the tour. Officials are waiting on guidance from the PCB, as the hosts typically dictate whether a series proceeds or is postponed under such circumstances.
As the region’s political landscape shifts rapidly, the cricketing implications are becoming harder to ignore. What’s clear is that safety will come first—and everything else, including cricket, must wait.