How Jay Shah Influenced the UAE's Decision to Reject Pakistan's PSL 2025 Hosting Request

In the midst of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, cricket politics appear to have played a significant role behind the scenes in the UAE’s recent decision to decline Pakistan’s request to host the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL). According to reports, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) turned down the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) proposal to shift the remaining PSL 2025 matches to Dubai, which ultimately led to the postponement of the tournament.

The situation surrounding the PSL has become increasingly complicated due to ongoing military conflicts between India and Pakistan. As the PCB sought to relocate the remaining PSL matches to Dubai to avoid disruptions, it was later revealed that the ECB had decided against hosting the event, likely to prevent any political fallout, particularly in India. The move forced Pakistan to indefinitely postpone the league, as several foreign players chose to withdraw from participation due to safety concerns amid rising tensions.

Jay Shah’s Influence Behind the Scenes?

A report from Cricbuzz has now suggested that Jay Shah, the current Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and former BCCI Secretary, played a key role in the ECB’s decision. Shah, known for his strong connections with UAE cricket officials, is believed to have subtly influenced the ECB’s stance on the matter. A senior official was quoted as saying, “When soldiers are dying at the border, we cannot keep quiet,” implying the political and diplomatic weight behind the decision.

The ECB’s relationship with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has remained strong, particularly following India’s hosting of IPL matches during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE. An official from the ECB reportedly acknowledged this influence, stating, “We owe it to the BCCI and Jay Bhai,” further cementing the idea that Indian cricket officials played a crucial role in the decision.

PSL Postponed Amid Security Concerns

The PSL 2025 was supposed to feature eight remaining matches, including four league games and four playoffs. Although the PCB initially planned to move the matches to Dubai, they later reversed their decision, citing concerns over player safety due to the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions. The PCB explained that many foreign players had expressed reluctance to continue in Pakistan under the current circumstances, and as a result, they arranged for these players to be flown out via chartered flights.

"The mental well-being of our players and their families' concerns are our priority," the PCB stated.

The ECB had initially shown willingness to accommodate the PSL, but reportedly set a high fee for hosting the tournament, which the financially struggling PCB could not afford. Faced with this obstacle, the PCB was forced to withdraw its plans for the Dubai shift and postpone the league indefinitely.

Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 for a week, further adding to the tensions within the cricket world.