Australian cricket stars are on the verge of flying home, or to Dubai, as the escalating India-Pakistan conflict threatens to postpone the IPL.
Some players based in India could fly back to Australia as soon as Saturday to escape the increasing tension in the country.
The confusion around the immediate future of the tournament was highlighted overnight when Ricky Ponting's Punjab Kings game in Dharamsala was postponed due to a power outage, with the location of future matches still up in the air.
"We're not sure where we're going at the moment," Ponting said after being asked about the future plans for his team.
"There's been some talk about Ahmedabad and some talk about Jaipur, but we're only really worried about tonight's match.
"You know, there's been a fair bit happening the last few days and we're just trying to make sure we focus on our performance here."
On a day when the league cited logistical challenges amid increasing tensions, coach Ponting was left frustrated when a power failure stopped the Kings' batters just when they were fully charged against Mitchell Starc and the rest of the Delhi Capitals attack.
Punjab had cruised ominously to 1-122 in just 10.1 overs when one of the light towers at the picturesque stadium malfunctioned and the game had to be called off, with both sides getting a point each.
Delhi was happy about that — but it was a frustration for Ponting, who had felt his side could amass something in the region of 240 after a dazzling start from his two openers.
Priyansh Arya cracked 70 and Prabhsimran Singh was 50 not out after a rocky opening for Starc, who had been hit for five boundaries in two wicketless overs (0-23).
The "no result" left the Kings, whose side had featured two of their five Australians, Josh Inglis and Marcus Stoinis, still handily placed in third place on 15 points, with only four teams to qualify.
But what happens next for the Kings and the rest of the IPL program remains up in the air with the news from the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) that the next match planned to be played in Dharamsala on Sunday had been moved to Ahmedabad.
Airports in Dharamsala and Chandigarh — where the Kings are based — have been closed for civilian and commercial use since Wednesday, while others across India's north-western corridor are also out of bounds to the cricketers.
Three IPL franchises — Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals — are already out of finals contention so that would theoretically make it easier for players to get home.
Pacer Nathan Ellis has been restricted to just one game for the Super Kings, while Pat Cummins, Travis Head, and Adam Zampa play for Hyderabad.
But title-contending teams such as the Kings, and Josh Hazlewood and Tim David's Royal Challengers Bengaluru would be reluctant to allow key players to go.
Despite the volatility of the situation, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the foreign players in the 10-team league had no worries about continuing to play.
"They are quite comfortable. Everyone in the league is comfortable," Saikia said.
"The safety and security of every player — be it a local player or a foreigner — every match official and every fan is important for us.
"We have the clearance of every single authority."
Pakistan Super League moves to UAE
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Super League will move the remaining matches of its season to the United Arab Emirates amid the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India.
A match between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings, due to be held in Rawalpindi, was postponed after Pakistan's military said Indian drones were destroyed in various Pakistan cities.
A Pakistan Cricket Board official told the BBC that one drone misfired and led to an explosion in the street behind the stadium in Rawalpindi. The BBC had been unable to verify these claims.
The exact schedule for the rest of the tournament, including dates and venues in the UAE, has yet to be confirmed.
Australian players in the PSL include Matt Short, Ben Dwarshuis, Riley Meredith, David Warner, Ben McDermott, Ashton Turner, Mitchell Owen, Max Bryant, and Sean Abbott.
ABC/AAP
