Karachi: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 will resume on May 17 after being postponed due to heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan, which led to a temporary suspension of the tournament last week. The announcement comes following an agreement between the two nations.

The suspension was triggered by a drone attack near the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on May 8, just hours before a match between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings. Initially, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) considered relocating the remainder of the tournament to the United Arab Emirates, but the plan was shelved in light of worsening regional tensions.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on social media that the league will continue from where it left off, with the final scheduled for May 25.

"The PSL 2025 will resume on May 17, with the final on May 25. The League will pick up from where it left off, six teams with zero fear," Naqvi posted on X.

The four remaining group-stage games will be hosted at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the playoffs and the final will take place in Lahore, according to an official PCB release.

The 10th edition of the PSL began on April 11 in Karachi and features 37 foreign players. Among them, former Australian captain David Warner has confirmed to 'The Sydney Morning Herald' that he will return to lead Karachi Kings in the remaining matches. He will be joined by two other Australian players.

However, according to Pakistan’s media reports, eight New Zealand players, including former captain Kane Williamson, are reluctant to return despite assurances from the PCB.

The PCB is also considering holding a mini replacement draft to help franchises struggling to replace foreign players who left during the recent conflict. A franchise official stated that most teams, excluding Multan Sultans, are still in contention—Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United, and Peshawar Zalmi—are in ongoing talks with player agents.

He said since Multan had only one match remaining and were out of the running for the playoffs, it was not cost-effective for them to recall their overseas players.

"If the franchises aren't successful in convincing their overseas players to return, the PCB will consider organising a mini replacement draft," a PCB source said. "Alternatively, the league rules allow for teams to play without any foreign players or with a maximum of four."

Meanwhile, the Indian Premier League (IPL), which was also postponed due to the regional conflict, is set to restart from the same day—May 17.

As the PSL gears up for a tense but hopeful conclusion, fans will be watching closely to see which teams can overcome both on-field and off-field challenges to claim the title.

(with AFP, PTI inputs)