In the wake of the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir — believed to be orchestrated by Pakistani terrorists — anti-Pakistan sentiment has surged across India. In response, FanCode, the Indian streaming platform that held the rights to broadcast the Pakistan Super League (PSL) online in India, has suspended all PSL broadcasts with immediate effect.

What Happened in Pahalgam?

On April 22, terrorists opened fire at a tourist bus in Pahalgam (Anantnag district), killing 26 people and leaving many injured. The attack, reportedly carried out by terrorists from across the border, has reignited calls for tougher action against Pakistan — both politically and culturally.

FanCode Acts Swiftly

FanCode, which had resumed PSL broadcasts in India this year after a few years’ hiatus, pulled the plug on April 24. Without issuing any official statement, the platform wiped all upcoming PSL match listings from its app and website, effectively ending access to the league for Indian viewers.

This decision came after 13 matches of PSL Season 10 had already been streamed between April 11 and April 23.

What About Sony Sports?

While FanCode has exited silently, Sony Sports Network, which holds the TV rights for PSL and other Pakistan home matches, has yet to make a move. So far, there’s been no official word from Sony on whether they will continue broadcasting PSL or reconsider their deal with the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Sony had earlier this year acquired TV rights for Pakistan’s home cricket series and had aired some matches. All eyes are now on whether they will follow FanCode's lead.

Nationwide Demand to Cut Cricketing Ties

This move by FanCode reflects the larger public sentiment — a growing demand to sever all cricketing ties with Pakistan. Calls to permanently suspend India-Pakistan matches, whether bilateral or multilateral, have grown louder.

The incident has triggered both emotional and diplomatic backlash, with several public figures and fans urging the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take a definitive stand on banning cricketing engagement with Pakistan.

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t the first time India has distanced itself from Pakistani cricket after a terror attack. After the Pulwama attack in 2019, there was immense pressure to boycott matches involving Pakistan, including during the ICC World Cup.

Whether this current backlash leads to broader bans — including removal of Pakistani players from global leagues or ICC reconsidering events hosted in Pakistan — remains to be seen. For now, PSL has been effectively blacked out from Indian screens, and that itself sends a strong signal.