IPL Resumes Today: UAE's Cricket Fans React, Say 'Sport Brings People Together' Khaleej Times

As tensions escalated between India and Pakistan following the terror attack on Pahalgam, flights were cancelled, borders closed, and water treaties suspended.

Both nations expelled each other's citizens, revoked visas , and closed airspaces. But that was not all – the impact also extended to sports. With security risks and an uncertain situation, Indian cricket board BCCI said the IPL tournament was suspended for a week . Pakistan Cricket Board also confirmed that remaining PSL remaining fixtures would be shifted to UAE.

After a ceasefire between the two nations on May 10, the Indian cricket board soon announced the tournament's resumption on May 17 , much to the joy of cricket fans worldwide.

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For Aahil O, a Dubai resident, the IPL returning is "about more than just cricket; it's a few hours of entertainment and passion." However, the avid IPL viewer recognises that safety comes first, no matter what the sport is.

"In uncertain or sensitive situations, it's natural for tournaments to be delayed or relocated; it's a necessary step to protect everyone involved," he said.

For some expats who were dismayed when the suspension was announced, the confirmation of the resumption is an occasion for joy.

"I did have my doubts if they would start exactly after a week," said Namita A, an Indian resident in Sharjah. She added that she "felt a sense of relief" when IPL's return was announced.

The match was suspended for just a week, but Aahil said he missed "the energy, the atmosphere, everything."

While the tournament will resume, the location of the matches and the schedule have been revised, leading some fans to question if the players will be impacted by the one-week pause.

Gayathri R, a Sharjah-based cricket fan, felt the temporary suspension might have "an impact on the players' mental preparation". However, Aahil pointed out that the athletes are "trained to stay focused and deliver their best, whether it's a new venue or a schedule change."

"The players themselves are professionals. They've faced many challenges before and know how to adapt quickly to different conditions. At the end of the day, the spirit of the game remains the same," he added.

Different fans are rooting for different teams, and looking forward to the exhilarating moments of the sport. For most, the return extends beyond the bat-and-ball game; it signals a return to normalcy.

Aahil said, "Its return is a positive sign, and feels like things are getting back on track."

In tough times, "sport brings people together," Namita added. For Gayathri, the return "is a sign of getting back to normal conditions."

For Zainab K (name changed on request), a Dubai-based Pakistani expat, while "the resumption might signal a return to a sense of normalcy, real peace goes beyond televised matches."

She said "sport should ideally be a reflection of peace, not a distraction from unresolved tensions." The expat hoped that this period of calm allows both nations to focus on dialogue and long-term stability.

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