As the Indian Premier League (IPL) prepares for a return, most international cricket players are having to go through several travel permissions and last-minute approvals as they plan to return to India to finish the tournament. However, this is not the case, Marco Jansen.

The South African fast bowler has stationed himself in Dubai, using the break to stay close to the action, just a short flight from India. While uncertainty looms for many players, Jansen is all fired up as his team Punjab Kings, gears up for the league’s crucial final phase.

The BCCI is reportedly working to restart the IPL as early as the coming weekend, around May 15, pending final government clearance. With logistics in motion, the focus has shifted to recalling overseas players and coaching staff, many of whom had returned home during the brief suspension.

Among those staying committed to the cause is Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting. The former Australian captain was en route to Australia but made a sudden U-turn, deboarding his flight after learning of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. He chose to remain in India and has since been encouraging the franchise’s international players to return.

“Soon after he learnt of the ceasefire, Ricky got off the plane. That shows his terrific character and commitment to the team,” said Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon told media sources. 

“We’re hopeful all our overseas players — Marco Jansen, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Xavier Bartlett — will be available when the IPL restarts, which should be very soon.”

While the four Australians, Stoinis, Inglis, Aaron Hardie, and Bartlett, flew back to Australia, in contrast, Jansen and Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai opted to remain in Dubai, avoiding travel delays and keeping themselves ready for a quick call-up.

Punjab Kings are also awaiting an update on Australian all-rounder Michael Owen, who was recently playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) before its postponement. Owen is currently in Dubai, though his clearance paperwork is still in progress.

With 15 points from 11 matches, Punjab Kings are placed third on the IPL table and remain in strong contention for the playoffs. The franchise has three league-stage matches remaining. It also awaits a decision from the BCCI regarding its abandoned match against Delhi Capitals on May 8, which was halted due to security concerns with Punjab at 122 for one in the 11th over.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been postponed indefinitely, after earlier plans to move the tournament to Dubai were scrapped. The final eight matches of PSL were scheduled to be held in the Emirates.

Cricket schedules have undergone major changes this week as rising tensions between India and Pakistan prompted adjustments to both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) seasons. The IPL 2025 has been temporarily suspended, while the remaining PSL matches have been moved to the UAE.

The IPL 2025 has been suspended indefinitely due to safety issues. The decision came soon after the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals match in Dharamsala was halted midway due to a “technical failure.” Affected by security concerns, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) moved a subsequent match to Ahmedabad before calling off the remainder of the tournament.

So far, 58 matches have been played, with just 12 league games left before the playoffs, originally scheduled across cities like Lucknow, Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. The final was set for May 25 in Kolkata. The BCCI has begun flying overseas players home on chartered flights and is eyeing a possible window to resume the season in August–September, which coincides with the Asia Cup and India’s Bangladesh tour.

“We have decided to indefinitely suspend the IPL. The players’ safety is our utmost priority. Hence we decided to stop the tournament for now. We’ll decide later if and when the tournament can resume,” BCCI sources said in a report.

Pakistan Super League to conclude in UAE

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will now conclude in the UAE, with the final eight matches relocated from Rawalpindi, Multan and Lahore due to rising safety concerns. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the move on Friday, following reports that Pakistan’s military had intercepted 28 Indian drones, including one near a cricket stadium. Pakistan’s foreign minister described the act as a “deliberate attempt to target domestic and foreign players.”

The decision was finalised after urgent meetings between PSL team owners and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister.

PSL matches coming to UAE include:

• Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi
• Peshawar Zalmi vs Lahore Qalandars
• Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings
• Multan Sultans vs Quetta Gladiators
• Qualifier
• Eliminator 1
• Eliminator 2
• Final

While official dates and venues are yet to be confirmed, the UAE has previously hosted both the IPL and PSL. For fans in the UAE, this means access to the thrilling final leg of the PSL and possibly more cricket to come when the IPL resumes later.

The Dubai Premier Padel P1 tournament is set to return from November 9 to 16, this time at a much larger venue to meet soaring demand for the sport.

Organisers Gallop Global have moved the international event to the Hamdan Sports Complex, the largest indoor sporting arena in the Middle East with a 15,000-seat capacity. It’s a major upgrade from last year’s 5,000-seat Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium and a testament to padel’s rapid rise in popularity across the UAE.

A New Home for Padel in the UAE

The 2025 edition will feature a 7,000-seater Centre Court, the largest in UAE padel history, along with three secondary courts and two practice courts.

General admission tickets start at Dh36 and are now available at Platinumlist.com. Every Centre Court ticket includes access to all other courts.

World-Class Talent, Bigger Prize

The prize pool has also seen a slight boost, rising from Dh1.96 million to Dh1.98 million. The tournament will welcome top-ranked players, including men’s World No.1 duo Arturo Coello and Agustin Tapia, and women’s World No.1s Ari Sanchez and Paula Josemaria.

Leaders Celebrate Sport’s Rapid Growth

Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Padel Association (UAEPA), called the return of the tournament a landmark moment for the sport, which has flourished since the federation’s founding in 2014.

Saeed Mohammed Hareb, Secretary-General of the Dubai Sports Council, said the relocation highlights the UAE’s growing global presence in padel. Meanwhile, Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), noted the event’s role in supporting Dubai’s vision to be the best city to live, work and visit

The UAE is now home to around 1,000 padel courts, representing 30 per cent of Asia’s total and 2 per cent worldwide..

In addition to the matches, spectators can enjoy off-court entertainment and interactive fan experiences throughout the week.

For tickets and event details, visit DubaiPremierPadel.ae.