In a major development affecting the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025, the Pakistani government has given a 48-hour deadline to Indian nationals working on the PSL broadcast crew to leave the country. The decision comes in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 Indian tourists and triggered a spike in regional tensions.
Indian Broadcast Staff Caught in Diplomatic Crossfire
Over two dozen Indian professionals — including camera operators, engineers, production managers, and player-tracking tech specialists — are being forced to pack up and leave. These individuals were vital to delivering high-quality PSL broadcasts for both local and international audiences.
Despite appeals from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to allow them to continue under their sports-specific visas, the federal government’s decision stands firm following a National Security Council (NSC) meeting held earlier this week.
“This is a direct result of the deteriorating diplomatic climate,” a senior PCB source revealed. “We are now scrambling to fill these roles to maintain broadcast quality.”
Cross-Border Fallout: Streaming Banned in India
Adding to the chaos, India has officially banned the live streaming of PSL 2025 across the country. So far, no alternative broadcasting partner has been announced. This leaves millions of Indian cricket fans with no legal way to follow the remainder of the tournament, which is already halfway through.
At the same time, India has:
-
Suspended the Indus Waters Treaty
-
Closed the Attari land border
-
Halted visa processing for Pakistani nationals
In retaliation, Pakistan has canceled existing visas for Indian nationals, leaving several crew members — including 12 with UAE residency — stranded and instructed to restrict their movements until they exit the country.
PCB Faces Broadcast Crisis Mid-Tournament
The PCB and its broadcast partner Trans-Asia now face an uphill task: keeping the PSL’s global viewership intact with a skeleton technical team. Matches are spread across Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan, and the lack of experienced crew may impact both production quality and real-time analytics.
There are also concerns over international partnerships, as several foreign media outlets are watching developments closely before committing to coverage rights for future editions of PSL.
What should have been a festival of cricket is now a political flashpoint. As PSL 2025 battles a sudden broadcast crisis, the fallout from India-Pakistan tensions is being felt right on the pitch. The situation is still developing, and all eyes are now on the PCB’s next move.
