Big Blow for PCB as UAE set to deny hosting remainder of PSL 2025: Reports

In what seems to be a big blow for the Pakistan Cricket Board, the United Arab Emirates is looking ‘not interested’ in hosting the remainder of the ongoing Pakistan Super League 2025 (PSL 2025). The Emirates Cricket Board is likely to decline PCB’s request due to ongoing cross-border rifts between India and Pakistan.

A source in the know confirmed the developments in the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) that the Board is set to disapprove Pakistan’s request to host the PSL 2025. Notably, the PCB has already released an announcement about the hosting of the remaining PSL 2025 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Emirates Cricket Board don’t want to spoil relations with BCCI – ECB source

Furthermore, the ECB source also spoke about the relationship of the ECB with the Board of Control for Cricket in India for the last couple of years. The commencement of some India-hosted tournaments, like the T20 World Cup 2021, IPL editions, and India matches of Champions Trophy 2025 were also mentioned by the source.

“The Emirates Cricket Board has enjoyed a strong relationship with BCCI in recent years, having hosted the 'India' edition of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, editions of the IPL as well as India matches during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025,” said the source.

“The UAE has a diverse South Asian population which enjoys cricket. Hosting a tournament like the PSL in the midst of such tense circumstances could vitiate harmony, pose security risks and stir unnecessary friction between communities,” the source added later.

Notably, the BCCI has also suspended the Indian Premier League 2025 for one week, and there is a possibility that the Emirates Cricket Board might agree to BCCI for hosting the remainder of the IPL 2025. It is also being reported as one of the major reasons behind the ECB declining PCB’s request for hosting PSL 2025.