Latest news with #SeanAbbott
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
13-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Explained: How Pakistan put PSL's overseas players in harm's way during conflict with India
The Pakistan Cricket Board arranged for a charter flight for overseas cricketers, including Australia's Sean Abbott and New Zealand's Kane Williamson, and broadcasters at the Nur Khan air base in Chaklala, Rawalpindi near Islamabad. Here's why it the PSL contingent in danger. read more Foreign players participating in the Pakistan Super League boarded a charter flight from the Nur Khan airbase in Chaklala, Rawalpindi hours before it was struck by missiles. Image credit: AFP/Damien Symon The armed conflict between India and Pakistan that broke out in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack led to the suspension of the Indian Premier League as well as the Pakistan Super League. India responded to the deadly attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam last month by launching 'Operation Sindoor' – a series of co-ordinated strikes aimed at terror camps located in Pakistan as well as Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD After Islamabad responded to the attacks on terror camps with indiscriminate firing at civilian areas in Jammu and Kashmir including Poonch, the Indian armed forces escalated their response to target air defence and radar systems at multiple locations inside Pakistan. They also struck several key bases belonging to the Pakistan Air Force, causing significant damage in the process and giving India a significant advantage in the conflict. Among the PAF air bases targeted by India was the Nur Khan air base located in Chaklala near Rawalpindi – where the headquarters of the Pakistan Army is located, which is also close to capital Islamabad. Cricketers, broadcasters board charter flight from Nur Khan air base hours before missile strike And according to reports by Australian media outlets such as Sydney Morning Herald, Pakistan allegedly put international cricketers participating in the 10th season of the PSL in harm's way by having them board a flight from the PAF Base in Chaklala instead of the Islamabad International Airport, located 44 kilometres away. The overseas players, including Australians Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Ashton Turner, and Mitch Owen and New Zealand's Kane Williamson, as well as broadcasters flew from the air base hours before it came under retaliatory fire from the Indian side. The charter flight departed the air base late on Friday, 9 May while the Indian missiles struck the key military facility on Saturday morning. Imagery released by a Chinese satellite firm (MIZAZVISION) helps spotlight damage at Pakistan's Nur Khan Airbase - the Indian Air Force precision strike appears to have focused on disabling infrastructure & ground support vehicles present on site at the time — Damien Symon (@detresfa_) May 11, 2025 The players as well as broadcasters were escorted to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, from where they departed to their respective countries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Besides the Nur Khan facility, the Indian armed forces also targeted airbases in Sukkur, Rahim Yar Khan, Sargodha, Jacobabad and Bholari – located in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh. Additionally, the cricket stadium in Rawalpindi was struck by a drone hours before the match between Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi on Thursday, which ultimately led to the season getting suspended. One therefore, would question the PCB's wisdom of arranging a charter flight from a city that, along with Lahore, had come under attack during the conflict instead of having them fly out from a relatively safer city. Pakistan has also come under criticism for opening its air space to civilian air crafts while targeting India with drone strikes, effectively using non-military flights as a 'human shield' of sorts to protect itself against Indian fire. The Pakistan Cricket Board had suspended the 10th PSL season after the Emirates Cricket Board denied its request to host remaining games in the UAE. The PCB is planning to restart the season, with the remaining matches taking place in Lahore and Islamabad, though a revised schedule is yet to be announced. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
India Today
11-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Australian cricketers narrowly escape missile strike in Pakistan: Report
Australian and other international cricketers narrowly avoided a missile strike in Pakistan while fleeing on a charter flight to Dubai. The cricketers, who were being evacuated after the postponement of the Pakistan Super League, left Rawalpindi's Nur Khan base just hours before India's retaliatory fire on the military bases of the reports coming out of the Australian media are to be believed, then Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Ashton Turner, and Mitch Owen were almost caught up in a potentially devastating incident. On Saturday morning, May 10, just hours after the overseas players left on their charter flight, India launched missile strikes targeting three Pakistani airbases, including the facility at Nur Khan – the airbase from which players, officials, and broadcasters had flown out to the UAE around three hours strike on Nur Khan, located near Pakistan's military headquarters and about 10 kilometres from Islamabad, caused multiple explosions and fires, according to local media reports. Witnesses described smoke and flames, with panic spreading in surrounding areas. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the postponement of the remaining eight matches of the Pakistan Super League on Friday, hours after promising that they would play out the rest of the tournament in the United Arab announcement came amidst rising tensions at the India-Pakistan border, where India thwarted Pakistan's drone and missile attacks on May 8 and 9. The PCB stated in its release that they had to shut down the event amidst "worsening conditions at the LOC (Line of Control)".The escalation of events between the two countries came after Pakistan decided to shell heavy artillery in the Kashmir region following India's precision strikes on terror facilities. India was forced to strike nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after terrorists killed 26 civilians in Pahalgam last Watch
The Advertiser
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Aussie cricket stars mull next step amid IPL anxiety
Some Australian players are seriously considering skipping the end of the Indian Premier League if the lucrative tournament does resume this month. Players from both the IPL and Pakistan Super League began trickling home on Sunday, after the border conflict between India and Pakistan prompted postponement of the leagues. Delhi Capitals fast bowler Mitchell Starc touched down at Sydney airport on Sunday as delicate talks about this year's IPL continued in India. There remains some chance India and Pakistan's T20 tournaments could return as soon as this week, with players receiving mixed messages on the possibility of a resumption. Much of that would depend on the success of Saturday's ceasefire, with that already appearing shaky after explosions were reported in the Kashmir region. But even if the IPL does restart, with 12 regular-season matches plus finals still to play, it is highly unlikely all Australians will return. AAP has been told by multiple well-placed sources that several players have serious concerns over returning to the tournament so soon. Players were left shaken by the events of the past week, with several asking why a game in India's north in Dharamsala went ahead on Thursday. That match near the Pakistan border was ultimately abandoned 10 overs in because of air-raid warnings in the area, with the crowd removed from the ground. Players from the Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals were moved out of the area the following day via train. Those events prompted a push for the IPL to be postponed last Friday, with Indian authorities confirming concerns from players. Australia's players are now understood to have left India, most dealing with multi-leg flights to return home this weekend. It's believed at least some Australian coaching staff have remained behind in the country, while officials determine what to do with the rest of the season. Adding to the concerns is the situation in Pakistan, after players narrowly avoided being caught up in air strikes on Friday. Players were flown out of the country via an air base in Islamabad that was hours later the target of a missile strike. Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Ashton Turner, Mitch Owen, Max Bryant and Riley Meredith were the Australian players in Pakistan, with David Warner having already left the country. Pakistan officials had initially planned on moving the tournament to the UAE, before it too was postponed. Meanwhile, if the IPL was to resume, shifting all games to southern parts of India, well away from the Pakistan border would appear the most likely option. Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings are already out of finals contention, with each only having one or two games left. Pat Cummins, Travis Head and Nathan Ellis are Australians playing for those three lower-ranked teams. Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Mitch Marsh and Xavier Bartlett are among other Australians in squads still in finals contention. If players do not return or if the tournament doesn't resume, it is unclear what that would mean for lucrative playing contracts. The IPL window is meant to close on May 25, when Australia are set to begin preparations for the World Test Championship final against South Africa starting on June 11. Another option for Indian officials would be to move games overseas, with South Africa and the UAE having previously hosted games. The English and Wales Cricket Board is also reported to be open to assisting by hosting matches. Some Australian players are seriously considering skipping the end of the Indian Premier League if the lucrative tournament does resume this month. Players from both the IPL and Pakistan Super League began trickling home on Sunday, after the border conflict between India and Pakistan prompted postponement of the leagues. Delhi Capitals fast bowler Mitchell Starc touched down at Sydney airport on Sunday as delicate talks about this year's IPL continued in India. There remains some chance India and Pakistan's T20 tournaments could return as soon as this week, with players receiving mixed messages on the possibility of a resumption. Much of that would depend on the success of Saturday's ceasefire, with that already appearing shaky after explosions were reported in the Kashmir region. But even if the IPL does restart, with 12 regular-season matches plus finals still to play, it is highly unlikely all Australians will return. AAP has been told by multiple well-placed sources that several players have serious concerns over returning to the tournament so soon. Players were left shaken by the events of the past week, with several asking why a game in India's north in Dharamsala went ahead on Thursday. That match near the Pakistan border was ultimately abandoned 10 overs in because of air-raid warnings in the area, with the crowd removed from the ground. Players from the Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals were moved out of the area the following day via train. Those events prompted a push for the IPL to be postponed last Friday, with Indian authorities confirming concerns from players. Australia's players are now understood to have left India, most dealing with multi-leg flights to return home this weekend. It's believed at least some Australian coaching staff have remained behind in the country, while officials determine what to do with the rest of the season. Adding to the concerns is the situation in Pakistan, after players narrowly avoided being caught up in air strikes on Friday. Players were flown out of the country via an air base in Islamabad that was hours later the target of a missile strike. Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Ashton Turner, Mitch Owen, Max Bryant and Riley Meredith were the Australian players in Pakistan, with David Warner having already left the country. Pakistan officials had initially planned on moving the tournament to the UAE, before it too was postponed. Meanwhile, if the IPL was to resume, shifting all games to southern parts of India, well away from the Pakistan border would appear the most likely option. Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings are already out of finals contention, with each only having one or two games left. Pat Cummins, Travis Head and Nathan Ellis are Australians playing for those three lower-ranked teams. Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Mitch Marsh and Xavier Bartlett are among other Australians in squads still in finals contention. If players do not return or if the tournament doesn't resume, it is unclear what that would mean for lucrative playing contracts. The IPL window is meant to close on May 25, when Australia are set to begin preparations for the World Test Championship final against South Africa starting on June 11. Another option for Indian officials would be to move games overseas, with South Africa and the UAE having previously hosted games. The English and Wales Cricket Board is also reported to be open to assisting by hosting matches. Some Australian players are seriously considering skipping the end of the Indian Premier League if the lucrative tournament does resume this month. Players from both the IPL and Pakistan Super League began trickling home on Sunday, after the border conflict between India and Pakistan prompted postponement of the leagues. Delhi Capitals fast bowler Mitchell Starc touched down at Sydney airport on Sunday as delicate talks about this year's IPL continued in India. There remains some chance India and Pakistan's T20 tournaments could return as soon as this week, with players receiving mixed messages on the possibility of a resumption. Much of that would depend on the success of Saturday's ceasefire, with that already appearing shaky after explosions were reported in the Kashmir region. But even if the IPL does restart, with 12 regular-season matches plus finals still to play, it is highly unlikely all Australians will return. AAP has been told by multiple well-placed sources that several players have serious concerns over returning to the tournament so soon. Players were left shaken by the events of the past week, with several asking why a game in India's north in Dharamsala went ahead on Thursday. That match near the Pakistan border was ultimately abandoned 10 overs in because of air-raid warnings in the area, with the crowd removed from the ground. Players from the Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals were moved out of the area the following day via train. Those events prompted a push for the IPL to be postponed last Friday, with Indian authorities confirming concerns from players. Australia's players are now understood to have left India, most dealing with multi-leg flights to return home this weekend. It's believed at least some Australian coaching staff have remained behind in the country, while officials determine what to do with the rest of the season. Adding to the concerns is the situation in Pakistan, after players narrowly avoided being caught up in air strikes on Friday. Players were flown out of the country via an air base in Islamabad that was hours later the target of a missile strike. Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Ashton Turner, Mitch Owen, Max Bryant and Riley Meredith were the Australian players in Pakistan, with David Warner having already left the country. Pakistan officials had initially planned on moving the tournament to the UAE, before it too was postponed. Meanwhile, if the IPL was to resume, shifting all games to southern parts of India, well away from the Pakistan border would appear the most likely option. Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings are already out of finals contention, with each only having one or two games left. Pat Cummins, Travis Head and Nathan Ellis are Australians playing for those three lower-ranked teams. Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Mitch Marsh and Xavier Bartlett are among other Australians in squads still in finals contention. If players do not return or if the tournament doesn't resume, it is unclear what that would mean for lucrative playing contracts. The IPL window is meant to close on May 25, when Australia are set to begin preparations for the World Test Championship final against South Africa starting on June 11. Another option for Indian officials would be to move games overseas, with South Africa and the UAE having previously hosted games. The English and Wales Cricket Board is also reported to be open to assisting by hosting matches.
The Advertiser
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Some Australian players may skip IPL if it resumes
Some Australian players are seriously considering skipping the end of the Indian Premier League if the lucrative tournament does resume this month. Players from both the IPL and Pakistan Super League began trickling home on Sunday, after the border conflict between India and Pakistan prompted postponement of the leagues. There remains some chance the T20 tournaments could return as soon as this week, with players receiving mixed messages on the possibility of a resumption. Much of that would depend on the success of Saturday's ceasefire, with that already appearing shaky after explosions were reported in the Kashmir region. But even if the IPL does restart, with 12 regular-season matches plus finals still to play, it is highly unlikely all Australians will return. AAP has been told by multiple well-placed sources that several players have serious concerns over returning to the tournament so soon. Players were left shaken by the events of the past week, with several asking why a game in India's north in Dharamsala went ahead on Thursday. That match near the Pakistan border was ultimately abandoned 10 overs in because of air-raid warnings in the area, with the crowd removed from the ground. Players from the Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals were moved out of the area the following day via train. Those events prompted a push for the IPL to be postponed last Friday, with Indian authorities confirming concerns from players. Australia's players are now understood to have left India, most dealing with multi-leg flights to return home this weekend. It's believed at least some Australian coaching staff have remained behind in the country, while officials determine what to do with the rest of the season. Adding to the concerns is the situation in Pakistan, after players narrowly avoided being caught up in air strikes on Friday. Players were flown out of the country via an air base in Islamabad that was hours later the target of a missile strike. Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Ashton Turner, Mitch Owen, Max Bryant and Riley Meredith were the Australians playing in Pakistan, with David Warner having already left the country. Pakistan officials had initially planned on moving the tournament to the UAE, before it too was postponed. Meanwhile, if the IPL was to resume, shifting all games to southern parts of India, well away from the Pakistan border would appear the most likely option. Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings are already out of finals contention, with each only having one or two games left. Pat Cummins, Travis Head and Nathan Ellis are Australians playing for those three lower-ranked teams. Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Mitch Marsh and Xavier Bartlett are among other Australians in squads still in finals contention. If players do not return or if the tournament doesn't resume, it is unclear what that would mean for lucrative playing contracts. The IPL window is meant to close on May 25, with Australia set to begin preparations for the World Test Championship final against South Africa starting on June 11. Another option for Indian officials would be to move games overseas, with South Africa and the UAE having previously hosted games. The English and Wales Cricket Board is also reported to be open to assisting by hosting matches. Some Australian players are seriously considering skipping the end of the Indian Premier League if the lucrative tournament does resume this month. Players from both the IPL and Pakistan Super League began trickling home on Sunday, after the border conflict between India and Pakistan prompted postponement of the leagues. There remains some chance the T20 tournaments could return as soon as this week, with players receiving mixed messages on the possibility of a resumption. Much of that would depend on the success of Saturday's ceasefire, with that already appearing shaky after explosions were reported in the Kashmir region. But even if the IPL does restart, with 12 regular-season matches plus finals still to play, it is highly unlikely all Australians will return. AAP has been told by multiple well-placed sources that several players have serious concerns over returning to the tournament so soon. Players were left shaken by the events of the past week, with several asking why a game in India's north in Dharamsala went ahead on Thursday. That match near the Pakistan border was ultimately abandoned 10 overs in because of air-raid warnings in the area, with the crowd removed from the ground. Players from the Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals were moved out of the area the following day via train. Those events prompted a push for the IPL to be postponed last Friday, with Indian authorities confirming concerns from players. Australia's players are now understood to have left India, most dealing with multi-leg flights to return home this weekend. It's believed at least some Australian coaching staff have remained behind in the country, while officials determine what to do with the rest of the season. Adding to the concerns is the situation in Pakistan, after players narrowly avoided being caught up in air strikes on Friday. Players were flown out of the country via an air base in Islamabad that was hours later the target of a missile strike. Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Ashton Turner, Mitch Owen, Max Bryant and Riley Meredith were the Australians playing in Pakistan, with David Warner having already left the country. Pakistan officials had initially planned on moving the tournament to the UAE, before it too was postponed. Meanwhile, if the IPL was to resume, shifting all games to southern parts of India, well away from the Pakistan border would appear the most likely option. Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings are already out of finals contention, with each only having one or two games left. Pat Cummins, Travis Head and Nathan Ellis are Australians playing for those three lower-ranked teams. Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Mitch Marsh and Xavier Bartlett are among other Australians in squads still in finals contention. If players do not return or if the tournament doesn't resume, it is unclear what that would mean for lucrative playing contracts. The IPL window is meant to close on May 25, with Australia set to begin preparations for the World Test Championship final against South Africa starting on June 11. Another option for Indian officials would be to move games overseas, with South Africa and the UAE having previously hosted games. The English and Wales Cricket Board is also reported to be open to assisting by hosting matches. Some Australian players are seriously considering skipping the end of the Indian Premier League if the lucrative tournament does resume this month. Players from both the IPL and Pakistan Super League began trickling home on Sunday, after the border conflict between India and Pakistan prompted postponement of the leagues. There remains some chance the T20 tournaments could return as soon as this week, with players receiving mixed messages on the possibility of a resumption. Much of that would depend on the success of Saturday's ceasefire, with that already appearing shaky after explosions were reported in the Kashmir region. But even if the IPL does restart, with 12 regular-season matches plus finals still to play, it is highly unlikely all Australians will return. AAP has been told by multiple well-placed sources that several players have serious concerns over returning to the tournament so soon. Players were left shaken by the events of the past week, with several asking why a game in India's north in Dharamsala went ahead on Thursday. That match near the Pakistan border was ultimately abandoned 10 overs in because of air-raid warnings in the area, with the crowd removed from the ground. Players from the Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals were moved out of the area the following day via train. Those events prompted a push for the IPL to be postponed last Friday, with Indian authorities confirming concerns from players. Australia's players are now understood to have left India, most dealing with multi-leg flights to return home this weekend. It's believed at least some Australian coaching staff have remained behind in the country, while officials determine what to do with the rest of the season. Adding to the concerns is the situation in Pakistan, after players narrowly avoided being caught up in air strikes on Friday. Players were flown out of the country via an air base in Islamabad that was hours later the target of a missile strike. Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Ashton Turner, Mitch Owen, Max Bryant and Riley Meredith were the Australians playing in Pakistan, with David Warner having already left the country. Pakistan officials had initially planned on moving the tournament to the UAE, before it too was postponed. Meanwhile, if the IPL was to resume, shifting all games to southern parts of India, well away from the Pakistan border would appear the most likely option. Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings are already out of finals contention, with each only having one or two games left. Pat Cummins, Travis Head and Nathan Ellis are Australians playing for those three lower-ranked teams. Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Mitch Marsh and Xavier Bartlett are among other Australians in squads still in finals contention. If players do not return or if the tournament doesn't resume, it is unclear what that would mean for lucrative playing contracts. The IPL window is meant to close on May 25, with Australia set to begin preparations for the World Test Championship final against South Africa starting on June 11. Another option for Indian officials would be to move games overseas, with South Africa and the UAE having previously hosted games. The English and Wales Cricket Board is also reported to be open to assisting by hosting matches.
News18
11-05-2025
- Sport
- News18
Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis Avoid Missile Strikes In Pakistan By A Whisker: Report
Last Updated: May 11, 2025, 09:07 IST Sean Abbott was playing for the Quetta Gladiators in the PSL (Picture credit: AFP) Four Australian cricketers plying their trade in the now-suspended Pakistan Super League narrowly dodged a missile strike by India on Pakistan, as they left the Nur Khan airbase hours before India struck it, as cross-border tensions flared between the two countries. PCB arranged a charter flight for Aussie and international players that departed Islamabad on Friday night, bound for Dubai. Connecting flights from Dubai to cricketers' home nations were being organised on Saturday, May 10. But according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald , allrounder Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Ashton Turner and Mitch Owen were almost caught in a devastating incident. On Saturday morning local time, just hours after the overseas cricketers left on their charter flight, India launched missile strikes targeting three Pakistan airbases, including the facility at Nur Khan, in retaliation for the cross-border drone attacks by Pakistan on Friday night. While David Warner had already returned to Australia and wasn't on the flight, multiple Aussie players were left shaken by the close call. 'Sean and Ben are relieved to be in Dubai now. They are resting at a hotel as they prepare to fly back to Sydney. It has been a challenging last 24 hours or so for all the players, both physically and mentally," Peter Lovitt, who manages Abbott and Dwarshuis, told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'The next steps are to get them home safely as soon as possible. The organisers of the PSL have done their best to get the players out of Pakistan quickly in trying circumstances in a situation that is much bigger than the game of cricket itself," Lovitt added. New Zealand star Kane Williamson was also reportedly on the flight. While it is unclear which England players were on board, James Vince, Tom Curran, Sam Billings and Chris Jordan were all involved in the Pakistan Super League. View All Virat Kohli Informs BCCI He Wishes To Retire From Test Cricket: Report IPL 2025 Paused Until Mid-May | Foreign Players' Exit Fuels Doubts | BCCI PBKS vs DC IPL 2025 Fixture To Be Replayed After League Resumes, Says Report | Operation Sindoor KKR's Playoff Hopes Dim: Kolkata Face Must-Win Situation After PBKS Washout | KKR vs PBKS IPL 2025 Shah Rukh Khan Chartered Boeing in Just 1 Hour for KKR Players After Wasim Akram's Request | IPL2025 View all
