ENGLAND stars including Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer are scrambling to come home this weekend after the IPL was suspended.
A total of ten England players are flying out of India to escape the growing cross-border tensions and conflict with Pakistan.
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The tournament was put on hold yesterday with 12 of the 70 group matches – plus four play-offs – not played. The games are likely to be rescheduled for September.
The suspension is initially for a week but is likely to last longer.
The BCCI said: “The ten franchises conveyed the concern and sentiments of their players and also the views of the broadcaster, sponsors and fans.
“Further updates regarding the new schedule and venues will be announced in due course after a comprehensive assessment of the situation in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders.”
Cricket chiefs in India had little option than to suspend the IPL after the Punjab Kings v Delhi Capitals match was abandoned after 10.1 overs on Thursday.
The initial explanation was a floodlight failure but the venue in Dharamsala is less than 100 miles from cities where air-raid sirens and explosions were heard.
With the local airport shut, players, staff and officials were evacuated by bus before catching a train to Delhi, the capital of India.
Overseas players and particularly the Aussie contingent – including Test captain Pat Cummins – were particularly alarmed by developments.
They quickly made arrangements to fly back to Australia and the English players – Buttler, Archer, Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Sam Curran, Craig Overton, Will Jacks, Moeen Ali and Reece Topley – are also exiting the country.
Ironically, Bethell was not considered for selection for the one-off Test against Zimbabwe later this month because of his involvement in the IPL.
The IPL is a vast money-spinner with each match generating more than £6million in TV revenue alone.
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Why are India and Pakistan enemies?
DISPUTES between India and Pakistan over the region of Kashmir date back decades.
The Muslim-majority territory was fought over in the aftermath of both countries’ independence following the partition of India in 1947.
War between India and Pakistan would break out again in 1965 – which ended in a ceasefire.
Kashmir’s control remains divided to this day, and tensions frequently flare up over the region.
India also fought Pakistan wars in 1971 and 1999 – with the conflict in the 70s resulting the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan.
And the current conflict stems from how the region was split up as the two countries were gaining independence.
Indian troops took two-thirds of Kashmir, while Pakistan seized the northern third.
Since then, the row has developed into one of the most intense geopolitical rivalries on earth.
There are about 16 million people in Kashmir, split between the Indian-controlled and Pakistani-controlled zones.
Although India and Pakistan no longer play bi-lateral series, global events are rigged so they face each other in the group stages because of the interest and revenue.
That might no longer be possible following the escalation between the two nuclear-armed nations.
On Wednesday, India targeted what they claimed was terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan in retaliation to an attack in Kashmir last month.
Virat Kohli, India’s biggest cricket superstar, expressed strong support for his country with an Instagram story post, saying: “We stand in solidarity with and salute our armed forces for fiercely protecting our country in these difficult times.
“We are forever indebted to our heroes for their unwavering bravery and heartfelt gratitude for the sacrifices they and their families make for our great nation.” JAI HIND.
Jai Hind means Victory for India in Hindi.
The IPL has been played in South Africa and the UAE in the past and English authorities will be happy if the tournament resumes in September – because that would not clash with this summer’s Test series against India which runs from June 20 to August 4.
Meanwhile, the remaining eight matches in the Pakistan Super League will be played in the UAE with a new schedule announced shortly.
England players in the PSL are James Vince, Sam Billings, Chris Jordan, David Willey, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Curran and Luke Wood with coaching staff including Ravi Bopara and Alex Hartley.
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