Amid the ongoing military conflict between India and Pakistan, cricket diplomacy has subtly begun to reflect the broader geopolitical situation. In a notable development, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has reportedly turned down the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) request to host the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the UAE—a move believed to be influenced by a quiet but firm nudge from Indian cricket administrators.

“When soldiers are dying at the border, we cannot keep quiet,” a cricket official remarked, underscoring the sensitivity of the moment.

According to Cricbuzz, the ECB’s decision to decline the hosting request aligns with India’s position, and the involvement of Jay Shah—former BCCI secretary and current ICC Chair—has been significant. Shah’s longstanding rapport with UAE cricket authorities, particularly during the staging of IPL seasons and the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE, appears to have influenced the final call.

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Mubashir Usmani, the UAE board’s secretary general and originally from Mumbai, has helped maintain strong ties with the BCCI. An ECB official even acknowledged the influence India carries, saying, “We owe it to the BCCI and Jay Bhai.”

🚨 BCCI FLEXES ITS MUSCLE YET AGAIN! 🚨

– ECB refuses PCB’s PSL 2025 request after a friendly nudge from Indian cricket bosses.
– Jay Shah’s deep ties with UAE cricket & govt. seal the deal pic.twitter.com/QorgPIvNOi

— The sports (@the_sports_x) May 10, 2025

Initially, the PCB had publicly announced that the final eight PSL matches, including four playoffs, would be moved to Dubai. However, just hours later, they were forced to retract and postpone the league altogether. It was clear that many foreign players, concerned about the regional conflict, were unwilling to stay on.

In a statement, the PCB noted, “We have sincere regard for the mental well-being of participating players and respect the concerns of their families who want to see them back home.”

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While the ECB initially appeared willing to accommodate the matches, it later denied access to the Dubai International Stadium and is reported to have demanded fees that exceeded what the PCB could afford.

With the situation between India and Pakistan remaining tense, the PSL’s future this season is clouded in uncertainty, and cricket’s role in diplomacy has once again come under the spotlight.