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 that have targeted 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 Sports
The conflict has also affected the sports world, particularly cricket. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has halted the Indian Premier League (IPL) for a week in the middle of the escalating conflict. The BCCI stated that it has full trust in the strength and willingness of the armed forces, but considered it advisable to act in the collective interest of everyone involved.
Effects on IPL and PSL
The IPL has been postponed, and further updates on the new schedule and venues will be announced after a comprehensive assessment of the situation. On the other hand, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has also been affected, with the remaining eight games of the tournament being moved to the United Arab Emirates. The Pakistani Cricket Board decided to make this change after claims that an Indian drone had fallen into the complex of a stadium before a PSL match.
International Cricket
Relations between the two countries mean that their teams do not compete against each other outside of global events organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The last time the men’s teams met in a test game was in 2007. However, the current conflict has had an impact on some players, with India recently blocking the social media accounts of several Pakistani cricketers.
Future of India-Pakistan Cricket
The cricket relationships between the two countries could be strained even further. The Indian coach, Gautam Gambhir, said that there should be "nothing between India and Pakistan" until the situation is determined. The next meeting between the two teams is scheduled for the Twenty20 World Championship in 2026, which will be held at a neutral venue.
Upcoming Matches
The ICC has already decided that games between the two sides up to at least 2027 should take place at neutral venues. The first test of this decision will be at the 50-over World Cup of women, which is organized by India in September. Pakistan has qualified for the tournament, and the Round Robin system in the group phase means that the countries will have to face each other, albeit on neutral soil.
