Introduction to the Conflict
India and Pakistan are involved in conflicts in Kashmir, a controversial territory between the two countries. Parts of Kashmir are controlled by India, Pakistan, and China. India has carried out air strikes targeting militant groups in the region in the past few days. Pakistan described this as an "act of war" and refuses to take revenge. Both sides have started attacks since then.
History of the Conflict
The current flashpoint began in April when 26 tourists in India were killed. But the region has been controversial for centuries, which ultimately led to the currently unpleasant three-way administration.
Impact on Cricket
Relations between the countries mean that the teams, whether men or women, do not compete against each other outside of the global events organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). These are normally short-format world championships (Twenty20 or 50-over cricket). The last time the men’s teams met in a test game was the longer and more famous version of the game in 2007. Both the women’s and the men’s team recently met in short-format global tournaments on neutral soil, men in February and women in 2024.
Social Media and Player Reactions
The current conflict has had an impact on some players, at least in terms of their social media. India recently blocked the reports on the current stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan and the retired players Shahid Afridi and Wasim Akram in India, while the Instagram of the former Pakistan’s former prime minister and cricket captain Imran Khan was blocked.
Effect on the Indian Premier League (IPL)
The closure of the Pakistani airspace also affects the northern states of India, including the city of Dharamshala, one of the IPL (Indian Premier League), the largest and most lucrative Twenty20 league in the world, and a source of fanaticism in India. May 8th between the Punjab kings and the capitals in Delhi in the city is to be continued normally despite some travel remarks. But as always, there will be no Pakistani players in both squads. Attacks in Mumbai in 2008 ended this after a handful of the tournament had played.
Pakistan Super League (PSL)
The story is similar in the less established Pakistan Super League (PSL). In fact, Indian male players from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are allowed to play in any foreign cricket. The PSL season is close to its conclusion, but foreign stars from all over the world are reportedly weighing whether the region should be left. PSL organizers contested this. On April 8th, the Pakistani Cricket board announced that "some of the PSL games" will re-plan after a drone has fallen into the Rawalpindi Stadium complex.
Future Matches Between India and Pakistan
There are only a few meetings because the next game in the men’s game in 2026 is together at the Twenty20 World Championship. The ICC has already decided that games between the two sides up to at least 2027 should take place at neutral venues. But the first test will be at the 50-over World Cup of women, which is also organized by India in September. Pakistan has qualified for the tournament and the Round Robin system in the group phase means that the countries have to face each other, albeit on neutral soil. What happens to this match can give a first indication of where the cricket relationships between the couples could be directed in the coming months and years.
