Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was suspended. Following this, all overseas players participating in the tournament were flown to Dubai, where they finally felt a sense of relief. Several players have now opened up about their traumatic experiences, with Bangladeshi cricketer Rishad Hossain even exposing actions by the Pakistani military.
Tensions between India and Pakistan had been rising for several days, with both sides launching drone and missile strikes. Witnessing a war-like situation, many foreign players were deeply shaken and requested to return home. As a result, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had no choice but to suspend the PSL midway and arrange for overseas players to be flown to Dubai. After arriving in the UAE, the players expressed a collective sigh of relief, and now their harrowing experiences during their stay in Pakistan are coming to light.
Bangladeshi leg-spinner Rishad Hossain revealed that foreign cricketers were living in constant fear. New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell reportedly said he would never return to Pakistan. Following the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision, the PCB also announced the suspension of the PSL on May 9. The foreign players involved in the league were moved to the UAE, from where they caught connecting flights to their respective home countries. Upon reaching Dubai Airport, many players finally felt at ease.
Rishad Hossain, who was representing Lahore Qalandars this season, spoke to reporters at Dubai Airport and said, “Alhamdulillah, we’ve emerged from a crisis and reached Dubai. I’m feeling much better now.” He further revealed that his fellow Bangladeshi teammate and fast bowler Nahid Rana, who was playing for Peshawar Zalmi under Babar Azam’s captaincy, was so traumatised by the situation that he stopped speaking altogether and remained completely silent. Other foreign players were also visibly terrified. Sam Billings, Daryl Mitchell, Kusal Perera, David Wiese, and Tom Curran were all extremely scared,” Rishad said. “As soon as we landed in Dubai, Mitchell told me he would never go back to Pakistan—especially under such conditions".