'We owe it to the BCCI and Jay Bhai': ECB official's big revelation on declining PCB to host PSL 2025 in Dubai

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 after the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) declined their request to host the relocated tournament in Dubai amid border tensions between India and Pakistan.

Sports Tak earlier reported that ECB has denied permitting PCB for hosting PSL 2025, considering a war-like situation between India and Pakistan.

"When soldiers are dying at the border, we cannot keep quiet," a cricket official told Cricbuzz.

Cricbuzz also reported on indications of a nudge from India, and the ECB's decision now appears to align with that. The standing of Jay Shah - former BCCI secretary and current ICC Chair - and his known ties with the UAE's leadership and cricket board are understood to have played a significant role.

ALSO READ: BCCI shortlists three venues in India for IPL 2025 if tournament resumes in May

ALSO READ: BCCI to announce India's Test squad with new captain for England series on this date

Relations between the BCCI and ECB, whose secretary general Mubashir Usmani is an Indian originally from Mumbai, have remained cordial, particularly after the BCCI, under Shah, staged one and a half IPL seasons in the UAE and also organised the 2021 T20 World Cup there.

"We owe it to the BCCI and Jay Bhai," an ECB official told Cricbuzz, acknowledging the Indian role in the matter.

PCB wanted to host the remainder of the PSL 2025 in Dubai, and they even made a public announcement that the T20 tournament was shifted to Dubai. However, hours after that, PCB postponed the tournament, and there were reports that the overseas players participating in the PSL were not willing to continue.

"We, at the PCB, also have sincere regard for the mental well-being of participating players and the sentiments of our foreign players, and we respect the concerns of their families who want to see them back home," the PCB said, admitting that the players were not willing to continue in the league. Four league matches and four play-off games were left to be played.

After initially agreeing to PCB's proposal, the ECB first rejected the request to use Dubai International Cricket Stadium and is then understood to have quoted an exorbitant amount that was beyond a cash-strapped PCB. With tensions between India and Pakistan continuing, the future of the PSL remains uncertain.