India-Pakistan ceasefire sparks hope for HBL PSL resumption

The ceasefire between Pakistan and India, who were involved in a serious war during the last few days, has sparked hope for the resumption of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) which was postponed yesterday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to postpone the remaining eight matches on the advice of the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hours after the board had announced that the remainder of the tournament had been shifted to the UAE.

Nuktaunderstands that all foreign players safely reached Dubai last night.

“All foreign players have been sent to Dubai last night. The franchises handed over all foreign players to Pakistan Air Force (PAF) by 8:30pm last night and they all have reached Dubai,” a well-informed source told this correspondent.

“Their playing kits and clothes are still here in Pakistan as they were only allowed to take hand-carries,” the source added.

Another source said that foreign players don’t want to come to Pakistan again for the remaining matches.

“They are scared and don’t want to come here,” the source said. “If we go for holding the remaining matches without them then it would become a national T20 event. Let’s see what the PCB decides.”

This correspondent understands that foreign players will likely need time to reassess their participation in the HBL PSL's remaining matches in Pakistan, following the recent ceasefire development, with decisions pending after a brief period of consideration.

Nukta tried several times to take input from the PCB’s top bass about their plans for the PSL but they did not respond.

Meanwhile, Lahore Qalandars’ New Zealand cricketer Daryl Mitchell, currently en route to New Zealand and mid-flight between the UAE and his home country has said: "It's been tough to watch two countries that are so close to my heart in conflict over the past few days. My thoughts are with those affected on both sides.”

Having participated in both the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Indian Premier League (IPL), Mitchell reflected on the impact both tournaments have had on his cricketing career.

"It feels good to be heading home to my family, but I’m also looking forward to returning to both countries in the future — places I truly love spending time in,” he said.