UAE Refuses to Host PSL, UAE Official Credits Jay Shah’s Influence
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been thrown into uncertainty after the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) declined to host the remaining matches in the United Arab Emirates. This decision follows the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) recent announcement to shift the final eight games of the tournament to the UAE amid rising tensions with India.
The abrupt refusal by the ECB has left the PCB red-faced, as preparations were reportedly underway to move the league out of Pakistan for security reasons. The decision forced the PCB to officially postpone the tournament, dealing a major blow to its plans.
According to a report by Cricbuzz, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) played a significant behind-the-scenes role in the ECB’s decision. Jay Shah, the current Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), is said to have influenced the outcome due to his longstanding ties with the UAE’s cricket leadership and the ECB.
An official from the Emirates Cricket Board acknowledged this influence directly, stating, “We owe it to Jay Shah.” The official pointed out that the strong relationship between the BCCI and the UAE cricket authorities played a key role in the refusal. It was also noted that ECB Secretary-General Mubashshir Usmani is originally from Mumbai, further reflecting the cordial ties with Indian cricket.
The incident highlights the increasing diplomatic and administrative clout of Indian cricket globally, particularly in the Gulf region, where the BCCI has previously held high-profile events like the IPL and the T20 World Cup.
For the PCB, the rejection not only disrupts the PSL schedule but also underscores the limited leverage it holds in international cricket diplomacy, especially during periods of heightened India-Pakistan hostilities. As of now, there is no clarity on alternate venues or revised dates for the remainder of the PSL.
