England Cricketers Seek to Leave PSL Amid Rising India-Pakistan Tensions

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Two England cricketers playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) have expressed their desire to leave the country due to rising tensions following India‘s recent military actions against Pakistan.

On May 7, India launched precision strikes on terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, responding to a terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 individuals, including 25 Indians and one Nepali national. This retaliatory strike targeted infrastructure linked to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, aiming to avoid civilian casualties.

Among the seven English players currently participating in the PSL are Sam Billings, James Vince, Tom Curran, David Willey, Chris Jordan, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, and Luke Wood. Following the elimination of their team, the Multan Sultans, from playoff contention, Willey and Jordan have communicated their intention to return home to their franchise.

While they await further directives, the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Professional Cricketers' Association have been in contact with players. Currently, there is no formal order to evacuate, but changes in UK government travel advisories could influence their decisions.

An agent representing overseas players noted the precarious situation, stating, “If anything else happens in the next 24 hours, you’d imagine people will just want to leave.” He assured that security measures remained stable, although concerns about further escalation persist.

The situation has weighed heavily on the players, prompting discussions about their safety amidst heightened military activity. As the conflict between India and Pakistan continues, it remains unclear whether additional players will opt to follow Willey and Jordan’s lead.

India’s actions, attributing terrorism to Pakistan-based groups, have led to significant diplomatic fallout, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan has also reacted by closing its airspace, further intensifying the ongoing crisis.