The inevitable happened as the ongoing 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) was suspended on Friday morning, May 09. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to halt the T20 tournament midway due to heightening tension between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the former's precision strikes at the terrorist sites in Pakistan & Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir on May 07. However, it is not the first such instance wherein a cricket tournament has been postponed due to terrorism.
In the past also we have also seen numerous instances wherein the cricket tournaments worldwide have been stopped indefinitely due to unforeseen events.
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Here at Criczop, let's check out instances wherein cricket took a backseat for a brief while just like IPL 2025
February 1996
During the 1996 ICC Men's ODI World Cup, Australia and West Indies refused to travel to Colombo, citing security issues after a bombing at a Central bank in Colombo city that took the lives of 91 people and injured 1400. Despite SLC & ICC promising top-level security, both Australia and the West Indies decided not to travel and instead forfeit their games. Sri Lanka benefited the most as they got four points and a place in the quarter-final.
Also Read: IPL 2025 suspended: Throwback to the time when Indian Premier League was stopped midway
May 2002
New Zealand canceled their subcontinent tour to Pakistan midway after a massive bomb blast near the team's hotel in Karachi that took the lives of several people. The explosion was carried out outside the Pearl Continental Hotel, where both teams were staying. Luckily, none of the players were injured, barring the Kiwi physio Dayle Shackel, who sustained a minor cut.
February 2003
Another World Cup instance, this time during the ODI World Cup in 2203, England and New Zealand both refused to travel to Zimbabwe & Kenya, respectively, and forfeited matches due to security reasons. England denied to play in Harare, citing political tensions, especially in the wake of British PM Tony Blair's objections. Similarly, New Zealand refused to travel to Nairobi, fearing terrorist attacks in Kenya.
September 2008
The ICC had to postpone the Champions Trophy, which was slated to be held in Pakistan in 2009, due to security issues. Five of the eight participating teams refused to travel to the Asian nation. Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and the West Indies due to terrorism concerns. The ICC Champions Trophy was cancelled in 2009 and was next held in 2013 in England.
Also Read: IPL 2025: 'We will blast your stadium' - DDCA receives big warning via email
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November 2008
The England Cricket Team decided to return home after a cowardly terror attack in Mumbai on November 26, 2008, which took the lives of over 100 people. At the time of the ghastly attack, England was playing an ODI game in Cuttack. The last two ODI matches of the series were canceled. The bilateral series was suspended midway due to security issues.
However, after consultations with security officials, England returned to play the Test series. The venues were also swapped from Mumbai and Ahmedabad to Chennai and Mohali.
March 2009
Sri Lanka players were in for shock when the team's bus was attacked by terrorists near Liberty Roundabout, in Lahore. The players were heading to Gaddafi Stadium for the third day of the second day of Test match when this horrific incident took place. 12 gunmen opened fire, taking the lives of Pakistani security personnel and two civilians. Players like Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, and Thilan Samaraweera sustained injuries, and Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana were hospitalized.
Also Read: IPL 2025: Australian Players In IPL Weigh In On Going Home As Tensions Rise In Cross-Border Firing
This incident led several teams to boycott touring Pakistan before Zimbabwe became the first team to visit the Asian team in 2015 after the terrorist attack.
