India and Pakistan: How cricket is affected by the mounting tensions between neighbouring countries

9 May 2025, 10:18 | Updated: 10 May 2025, 14:43

Amid the tensions between India and Pakistan, cricket tournaments are being affected. Here is what you need to know...

What is the latest on the India-Pakistan tensions?

Tensions have escalated between the nations over the territory of Kashmir, although there is now a ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday to announce India and Pakistan had agreed to a "full and immediate ceasefire" and this was confirmed by both nations.

Pakistan's foreign minister Ishaq Dar wrote on X that the ceasefire would begin with "immediate effect, with Indian counterpart Vikram Misri confirming it had started at 5pm local time (1pm UK).

Misri said there will be more talks between India and Pakistan on Monday and added that three dozen countries were involved in discussions, including the US, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

On Wednesday, India carried out missile strikes in Pakistan's Punjab province and Pakistan-administered parts of Kashmir, which a military spokesperson said had killed at least 31 civilians and wounded 46.

India explained its original strikes were in retaliation for the terrorist attack on April 22, in which at least 26 people were shot dead.

India accused Pakistan of supporting those behind the attack - an allegation Pakistan has denied.

What has happened with the IPL?

The Indian Premier League has been suspended with immediate effect for one week, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Friday.

Sky Sports News understands that suspension could be extended and the BCCI has been contacted for comment.

The vice president of the BCCI, Rajeev Shukla, said: "After taking stock of the situation and discussing with the government, our stakeholders, franchisees and broadcasters, a new schedule will be announced.

"The franchises had also expressed many concerns regarding the players. So, keeping all these in mind, this decision was taken."

The IPL is one of the most lucrative cricket tournaments in the world and still has 12 games to be played in the group stage before the knockout rounds.

England would consider hosting IPL matches if the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) receives a request to help complete the tournament from the Indian and international cricket authorities, Sky Sports News understands.

The ECB said on Friday morning there has been regular dialogue with the 10 English players involved in the competition through a combination of the ECB, their security advisers, and the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA).

Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Reece Topley, Sam Curran, and Jamie Overton have all featured this year.

A majority of the overseas players, including the English ones, are expected to leave India over the weekend.

What has happened with the PSL?

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been suspended indefinitely.

Initially, the PSL said fixtures would conclude in the United Arab Emirates but the postponement came "pursuant to advice received from the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif".

It followed what the PSL said was "a worsening of the situation".

Thursday's fixture between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings in Rawalpindi - set to involve English players James Vince, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Luke Wood - was postponed after a drone fell within the stadium complex.

Pakistan says the drone was from India.

There were seven English players at the PSL, with James Vince (Karachi Kings), Luke Wood and Tom Kohler-Cadmore (both Peshawar Zalmi) joined by Sam Billings and Tom Curran, (both Lahore Qalandars) as well as Chris Jordan and David Willey (both Multan Sultans).

A total of 15 individuals from the English game, including coaches and media representatives, were at the tournament.

Players travelled to the UAE on Friday with the intention of resuming the PSL but those plans have now been shelved.

Ahead of confirmation that the PSL was suspended, the ECB also said it was monitoring Foreign Office advice over any potential threat to safety, while the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) remains in contact with those affected.

Is India's Test series in England in doubt?

The ECB confirmed the upcoming India Test tour is expected to go ahead as planned.

India are due to face England in a five-Test series this summer, starting at Headingley on June 20 and concluding at The Kia Oval on July 31.

• First Test: Friday June 20 to Tuesday June 24 - Headingley
• Second Test: Wednesday July 2 to Sunday July 6 - Edgbaston
• Third Test: Thursday July 10 to Monday July 14 - Lord's
• Fourth Test: Wednesday July 23 to Sunday July 27 - Emirates Old Trafford
• Fifth Test: Thursday July 31 to Monday August 4 - The Kia Oval

Are India and Pakistan scheduled to play each other?

India and Pakistan are next scheduled to play against each other in September during the Asia Cup. The tournament was expected to be hosted in India, but the venue is likely to be changed to Sri Lanka or the UAE.

Earlier this year, it was decided India and Pakistan will play matches hosted by either country at neutral venues during the next rights cycle until 2027.

This will apply to the Women's Cricket World Cup this coming October, (hosted by India) and the Men's T20 World Cup in 2026 (hosted by India and Sri Lanka).

India have not played a game in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, while Pakistan have not played India in a bilateral series since visiting the country in 2013.

What does this mean for India-Pakistan matches in future?

India men's coach Gautam Gambhir insisted earlier this week, before Tuesday's airstrikes, that the two nations should not play cricket matches against each other while tensions remain.

He told reporters: "I have said this before also: no cricket match or Bollywood or any other interaction is more important than the life of Indian soldiers and Indian citizens.

"Matches will keep happening, movies will be made, singers will continue to perform, but nothing comes close to losing a loved one in your family."

Sky Sports' Michael Atherton said: "It is a hugely sensitive issue and there are things far more important than cricket, but it's a reminder of how interconnected everything is.

"The epicentre of cricket is in the subcontinent and when these sorts of issues rise up, it has significant knock-on effects on the game.

"India and Pakistan have not played bilaterally since 2013 and that seems ever further away now. They only play in ICC events now and that may not be possible right now."

What impact could this have on cricketing finances?

Telegraph cricket journalist Tim Wigmore added on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast: "The scarcity of India playing Pakistan has made it really valuable.

"You can't put a figure on it exactly but people I have talked to have said it is not unreasonable to think it is as much as a tenth of the total ICC broadcasting rights.

"The New York Times said it was bigger than the Super Bowl, which in terms of viewing figures is certainly true - around 400m watch every game.

"Financially, every country could be affected as games in world events after India vs Pakistan get more viewers than before as people clock in to the fact a world event is on when they play. It has come at a bad time for the ICC."

(c) Sky Sports 2025: India and Pakistan: How cricket is affected by the mounting tensions between neighbouring countries