Mitchell vows to never go back: Dramatic meltdown of overseas players in PSL

The India-Pakistan conflict seems to have toned down significantly after the neighbours mutually agreed to a ceasefire. However, the hostility left the subcontinent shaken to its core, with India finally taking a stand against incessant terrorist attempts by Pakistan. The conflict, which escalated to the brink of a war-like situation, unfolded at a time when both nations were hosting their respective T20 leagues. The majority of overseas players were in India for IPL 2025. However, many were left stranded in Pakistan when missile and drone activity intensified amid rising tensions. Bangladesh player Rishad Hossain narrated the experience of frightened foreign players as they finally landed in Dubai following their safe exit from Pakistan.

Tom Curran "cried like a baby" after being stranded in Pakistan amid IND-PAK conflict

Pakistan faced the brunt of its blatant notoriety for harboring terrorism within its boundaries. India retaliated to the heinous Pahalgam terror attack with 'Operation Sindoor', which annihilated nine terrorist camps in Pakistan. However, the situation swiftly escalated between the neighbours, with missile and drone attacks in action by May 7. While IPL 2025 was suspended on Friday, May 9, the PSL initially considered shifting from Rawalpindi to Karachi. However, as the situation grew more precarious, the season was postponed and the foreign players were eventually evacuated. Meanwhile, Rishad Hossain narrated the ordeal of the players upon their safe landing in the UAE.

Rishad shared that the atmosphere among foreign cricketers had grown increasingly tense. He recounted a conversation with New Zealand's batting all-rounder Daryl Mitchell, who reportedly told him he had no intention of “ever returning to Pakistan,” especially under such volatile circumstances. The abrupt developments left overseas players visibly shaken, prompting the PCB to arrange for their immediate evacuation to the UAE. From Dubai, they were then placed on connecting flights bound for their respective home countries.

“Foreign players like Sam Billings, Daryl Mitchell, Kushal Perera, David Wiese, Tom Curran… all of them were so frightened… Landing in Dubai, Mitchell told me that he would never go to Pakistan again, especially in this kind of scenario. Overall, they were all horrified,” said Rishad. “He (Tom Curran) went to the airport, but heard that the airport was closed. Then he started crying like a little child, that it took two or three people to handle him,” he added.

According to Rishad, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi initially explored the possibility of continuing the PSL in Karachi. However, that plan was quickly abandoned after several foreign players voiced strong concerns about safety. The board then attempted to shift the remaining fixtures to the UAE, but the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) declined the proposal, leaving the PCB with little choice but to call off the tournament altogether.

"Yes, the PCB Chairman tried to convince us to conduct the remaining matches in Karachi. At that time he tried to hide from us that there were two drone attacks just the day before which we came to know later. Later all of us took the decision (to shift to Dubai) and the PCB Chairman helped us a lot to reach Dubai safely," Rishad informed.

The official cancellation came within hours of the BCCI’s announcement that IPL 2025 would be temporarily suspended. Both boards acted swiftly in response to the growing instability in the region, as cross-border hostilities threatened the safety of players and staff participating in their respective leagues.