Games abandoned, players flee IPL and PSL as tensions increase amid bombings and blackouts

There are reports the IPL

Anxious international players are looking to flee the subcontinent as the conflict between India and Pakistan escalated overnight. The IPL cricket match between Ricky Ponting’s Punjab Kings and Mitchell Starc’s Delhi had to be abandoned with the stadium plunged into a blackout during the game.

Officials were filmed waving their arms to tell fans to leave the venue midway through the first innings.

The Pakistan Super League has moved its matches to the UAE after drones reportedly struck near the Rawalpindi stadium, where the Karachi Kings, captained by David Warner, were due to play.

There are reports the IPL will be abandoned,d but it appears more likely the tournament will suffer delays, which will cause headaches for players given the tightness of the cricket fixture.

Cricket Et Al was told this morning that a number of international players, including Australians, have made their own arrangements to get out of India. The players in Pakistan are expected to be evacuated to the UAE later today.

The two IPL sides stayed in Dharamsala overnight but were being evacuated by bus on Friday as there is a no-fly zone in the area. Players believe there were rocket strikes near the venue which caused the blackout.