Follow UsCricket Australia (CA) have expressed concerns over players’ safety across both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL), on May 9 (Friday). The concerns are on the back of geopolitical tension between the two countries, which has resulted in both tournaments being either suspended or rescheduled.
While the PSL has been shifted to the United Arab Emirates, the BCCI announced on May 9 that it would suspend IPL for the next week before taking a call on the tournament’s future.
"We continue to closely monitor the situation in Pakistan and India, including obtaining regular advice and updates from the Australian Government, the PCB, BCCI and local government authorities, and maintaining communication with our players and support staff currently in the region,” Cricket Australia’s statement read, reported Cricbuzz.
Meanwhile, even the South African Cricketers' Association (SACA) released a statement regarding the players’ safety in the two leagues.
"The health and safety of players is not negotiable. We are in direct contact with all the South African players at the IPL and keeping them updated with security reports. We have offered them any support they need," Andrew Breetzke, the chief executive of the South African Cricketers' Association, said.
Cricket West Indies (CWI), who have a lot of representation at the IPL, also insisted that they are in constant touch with the BCCI and PCB regarding players’ safety. As many as eight West Indians are playing in the IPL and five in the PSL.
"We are in active communication with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and our players currently involved in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL)," an official statement from CWI said.
"We have also engaged our strategic partner, West Indies Players' Association (WIPA), to coordinate and ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all West Indies players and support personnel in the region. The welfare of our people remains our highest priority."