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This incident follows escalating India-Pakistan tensions after India's strikes on Pakistani air defense systems. PSL relocation to Karachi and England players' potential withdrawal are being considered.
An alleged drone crash near the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday, just hours ahead of a scheduled Pakistan Super League (PSL) match between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings, has heightened security concerns across Pakistan. The incident, which reportedly caused partial damage to a nearby restaurant and injured two civilians, has gone viral on social media, raising alarm over the safety of players and spectators.
According to various social media users, the area around the crash site has been sealed off by authorities, who are currently investigating the drone's origin and whether it was carrying any payload. Eyewitness footage and photos from the scene have been widely circulated online, adding to the speculation.
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(Please note: Asianet News English cannot independently verify this claim. An official confirmation is awaited.)
The drone incident comes amid mounting military escalation between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor. Earlier on Thursday, the Indian Defence Ministry confirmed in a statement that it had carried out strikes targeting air defence radars and systems at multiple locations across Pakistan. "Indian response has been in the same domain with same intensity as Pakistan. It has been reliably learnt that an Air Defence system at Lahore has been neutralised," the ministry said.
As fears mount, several reports suggest that the PSL could be relocated to Karachi for the remainder of the season. The match in Rawalpindi was scheduled for 8 pm on May 8, but the drone crash has cast serious doubt on the venue's viability.
Security concerns have also prompted England's PSL players to reconsider their participation. According to reports, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) held an emergency meeting to assess the risks, with players reportedly divided over whether to stay or return home.
Adding to the unrest, separate explosions were reported in Lahore and Karachi on Thursday. In Lahore, three blasts rocked the Walton Road area, causing chaos as residents fled the scene. Clouds of smoke were seen billowing across the city as emergency services rushed in. As a precaution, commercial flights at Lahore and Sialkot airports were suspended until noon.
