Cricket’s international integrity is under severe pressure

At times of political turbulence between nations that involves loss of life and suffering, it seems inappropriate to talk about sport, despite its capacity to build bridges between peoples.

Yet, during the recent outbreak of hostilities between India and Pakistan, it has been impossible to ignore the effect that the escalating crisis has had on the sport.

In part, this was because both the Pakistan Super League and the Indian Premier League were suspended. In part, it was because cricket has been swept up inexorably as an actor in the unfolding geopolitical drama.  

The flashpoint for the IPL occurred in Dharamsala during a match on Thursday May 8. A blackout in the stadium occurred after 10.1 overs had been bowled, later attributed to power failure caused by air raid sirens warning of possible strikes in neighboring Jammu.

Evacuation of the estimated 17,500 crowd was ordered because of security concerns. I can testify that this is a ground with difficult access and egress. It must have been a terrifying experience and many have wondered why the match was allowed to start, given that one at the same location the following day had already been rescheduled.

Suspension of the league was announced on May 9.

The PSL’s flashpoint was on Wednesday May 7 following reports of Indian drones entering Pakistan airspace. One of them was shot down at the food street adjacent to the Rawalpindi stadium, where a match was due to take place.

This was rescheduled, but widespread reservations were expressed by the 37 foreign players involved in the PSL. Most of them were not happy to stay in Pakistan, a sentiment sufficient to persuade the Pakistan Cricket Board that suspension was necessary.

On May 8, Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chair