The escalating conflict between India and Pakistan has led both nations to suspend or relocate their lucrative cricket leagues.
The Indian Premier League (IPL), recognized as one of the world's wealthiest sports competitions with ten franchises valued at approximately $1 billion each, announced a one-week suspension of its ongoing season. The league's five-year broadcasting agreement is valued at over $6 billion.
On Thursday night, a match scheduled in the Himalayan town of Dharamsala was abandoned, and the stadium, which accommodates around 20,000 spectators, was evacuated due to heavy shelling occurring along the border with Pakistan.
The Pakistan Super League (PSL), although smaller than the IPL, holds significant importance in Pakistan. The PSL announced the relocation of its remaining eight games to the United Arab Emirates due to safety concerns. A match on Thursday in Rawalpindi was postponed after Pakistani authorities accused India of targeting the city's cricket stadium.
Historically, cricket has served as a means to bridge the divide between the two countries. India and Pakistan, alongside Sri Lanka, co-hosted the cricket World Cup in 1996. However, since the 2008 Mumbai attacks perpetrated by Pakistani militants, separating political tensions from cricket has become increasingly challenging. Pakistani players have been prohibited from participating in the lucrative Indian league, which attracts top global talent with substantial salaries. Additionally, the two nations have ceased to compete against each other, except in international events like the World Cup.