IPL News: Pakistan suspends the broadcast of 2019 IPL season

What's the story?

In the midst of growing tensions around the LoC between the two nations post the Pulwama attack & the resultant Air strike, Pakistan government has decided to ban the broadcast of the 12th season of the IPL.

In case you didn't know

D Sport had decided to discontinue broadcasting of PSL after the Pulwama attack as a gesture of solidarity with the Indian army and the families of the martyrs.

Indian company IMG Reliance had also decided to pull out of the deal where they were in charge of production. This forced organizers to look for a new production company in the middle of the tournament.

Heart of the matter

The relations between India and Pakistan have soured after a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel in Pulwama (Jammu & Kashmir) was attacked by a suicide bomber in which more than 40 jawans lost their lives.

Indian channels and production houses had decided to show their support towards the army by boycotting PSL. A month later, Pakistan decided to ban the IPL broadcast.

The Pakistan information and broadcasting minister, Fawad Chaudhry has confirmed that live telecast of IPL has been suspended in Pakistan. The minister revealed that the Pakistani government is unhappy with the treatment of Pakistan cricket in India.

"During the PSL, the way the Indian companies and the government treated Pakistan cricket after that, we can't tolerate that IPL is shown in Pakistan," Pakistan's I&B minister Fawad Chaudhry said in an interview with a Pakistani news channel.

He also claimed that the Indian cricket team has been trying to politicise cricket as the Indian team had worn army caps in the match against Australia and urged ICC to take strict action against the Indian team. However, ICC clarified that BCCI had taken prior permission from them.

"We tried to keep politics and cricket apart but then the Indian cricket team played matches wearing army caps against Australia and there was no action taken against it. I feel if IPL is not shown in Pakistan, it will be a loss for IPL and Indian cricket. We are a cricketing superpower in international cricket," Chaudhry claimed.

What's next?

IPL is the most popular T20 league in the world, which is broadcasted all over the world. And, with all the star power and riveting contests it produces, the ban won't be affecting its success.

The tournament will commence on 23rd March where defending champions Chennai Super Kings will take on Virat Kohli led Royal Challengers Bangalore at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.