Delhi NCR, Cricastar Sports Desk: Cricket and other sports frequently become scapegoats amid global conflicts. They’ve been political tools, like India-Pakistan cricket diplomacy attempts, often derailed by tensions. World Wars led to Olympic cancellations. Security concerns have forced team withdrawals, as seen in the 1996 Cricket World Cup, when Australia and West Indies avoided Sri Lanka due to bombings. Recent India-Pakistan tensions also caused event cancellations. These instances highlight how geopolitical issues impact sports, making them vulnerable to becoming collateral damage. Cricket and other sports have often become scapegoats in times of global conflict. Here are some examples:

Sports as a Political Tool

Cricket, in particular, has been used as a political tool to either improve or worsen diplomatic relations between two countries. This is sometimes referred to as “cricket diplomacy.”

Cricket matches between India and Pakistan are often canceled during times of political tension, or they are used as a way to initiate dialogue between the two nations. For instance, during the 2011 Cricket World Cup semi-final, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh invited his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani to watch the match, which was seen as an attempt to normalize relations between the two countries.

In 1991, activists from the Indian political party Shiv Sena dug up the pitch at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium before a Test match between India and Pakistan, leading to the cancellation of the entire series.

Sports Events Canceled Due to War and Conflict:

The Olympic Games were canceled during both World Wars. The 1916 Games were canceled due to World War I, and the 1940 and 1944 Games were canceled due to World War II.

More recently, several sporting events between India and Pakistan have been canceled or postponed due to escalating tensions. For example, the IPL match scheduled in Dharamshala on May 8, 2025, was canceled after attacks in several parts of India by Pakistan. Similarly, the Sports Minister’s ‘Fit India’ cycle rally in Chennai on May 9, 2025, was also called off due to India-Pakistan tensions.

Teams Withdrawing Due to Security Concerns

During the 1996 Cricket World Cup, Australia and the West Indies refused to send their teams to Sri Lanka following bomb blasts in the country. As a result, Sri Lanka was awarded walkovers in those matches.

It is evident that cricket and other sports have frequently suffered due to political and security reasons. These incidents illustrate how global and regional conflicts can impact sporting events and make them a “scapegoat.”  

IPL 2025 Suspended and PSL Relocated to UAE Amid India-Pakistan Tensions

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has been suspended due to escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan, marking the second mid-season halt in its history, following a 2021 COVID-19 disruption. The decision came after a drone and missile attack by Pakistan targeted areas in Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan, leading to the cancellation of a match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal noted that the situation is under review, with no government directive yet, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the suspension on May 9, 2025, prioritizing player and official safety. A senior BCCI official stated, “It does not look nice that cricket goes on while the country is at war.” The BCCI aims to resume the tournament within a week, with a revised schedule and venues pending announcement, though uncertainty looms over the season’s conclusion, originally set for May 25 in Kolkata.

Simultaneously, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025, in its tenth season, has been shifted to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to the same geopolitical tensions. A drone incident near Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium led to the cancellation of two matches, including one between Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi, raising security concerns among overseas players. After an emergency meeting, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), led by chairman Mohsin Naqvi, relocated the remaining eight matches to the UAE, with foreign players already en route. The PCB, prioritizing participant well-being, will soon announce new dates and venues. The PSL has previously utilized UAE venues in its first two seasons (2016-17) and partially in 2021 due to COVID-19. Social media posts on X suggest some view the PSL’s UAE move as a strategic win, claiming Pakistan secured venues before a potential IPL relocation, though these remain unverified sentiments.

The parallel scheduling of both T20 leagues, a first due to time constraints, has been disrupted significantly. The IPL’s suspension and the PSL’s relocation to the UAE underscore the impact of geopolitical conflicts on sports, with the UAE serving as a neutral hub for cricket. Fans and stakeholders await further updates on the future of both tournaments amidst the ongoing crisis.