May 9, 2025 • 9 mins
Relief from the New Zealand Cricket Players Association over news the Pakistan Super League will change locations ... amid military conflict with India.
The future of both countries' respective T20 franchise competitions was up in the air, with 14 New Zealanders playing in either the PSL or the Indian Premier League.
The Pakistani league plans to move the rest of its tournament to the United Arab Emirates.
Players Association boss Heath Mills says the players in Pakistan are relieved to be escaping the turmoil.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Wildergrave
from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
It'd be good evening, Heath, good evening, Darcy.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Part of the Players Association, you run it. It's the
last thing you need to hear is the trouble that's
going on between India and Pakistan, specifically with the with
the PSL. This is they're scary times, aren't they. Heath
and welcome.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Yeah, look, it's not good for anyone, you know, it's
no one likes to see what's happening in India and
Pakistan at the moment, and of course for us with
our members plying their trade in both the Pakistan Super
League and the Indian Premier League, it's it's pretty unnerving.
So it's all good to see. And you know, we've
been doing our best to stay in touch with our
(00:52):
people over the last week or so and in try
and help the way we can.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
What do you know meanything at all about what's going
on and what may happen because we know that PSL's
basically been moved, hasn't it to the United Arab Emirates?
They're out of Pakistan? Is that it?
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Yeah, that was good news overnight. We effectively heard that
that was happening last night in New Zealand time, so
we're pleased to wake up this woman that had been confirmed,
so the players have the whole whole situation is very
unsettling for the players. We know that they're safe in
the hotels. They've got excellent security around them. We've worked
(01:29):
a lot with our security expert Rige Dickerson and Time
that who's got men on the ground in Pakistan. We
know that the Pakistanis do a great job there, so
we know they've been safe in the hotels and we
know the same as for the guys in India. However,
with what's been happening and what's on the TV screens,
drones and effectively being shot down and around the cities
(01:51):
where the guys have been housed, obviously they've been extremely
anxious and worries as you can imagine, but so too
their friends and family back home. So you know they've
been wanting to get out for a few days now,
and you know, to have here that the ps ps
L was going to be moved late last night to
buy was great relief for the guys, so especially just
(02:14):
been in communications with some of them over the last
hour or so, and they're hopeful that they'll be out
sort of late earlier this evening Pakistan time, and then
to Dubai, which would be a great step.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Is there a thought maybe they want to actually come
home full stop or is it still very much on.
We're part of the PSL, We're going to keep playing.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Oh, look like the guys have wanted to most of
them have wanted to come home for the last four
or five days, but of course that's that can't happen
from here. It's a the Pakistan Super League as a
Pakistan government run essentially event in New Zealand Cricket, Australian Cricket,
the player associations and we don't have anything any control
(02:53):
over that. So unfortunately they've had to stay there. Hasn't
even been an ability to get out of Pakistan for
the last three or four days with the airspace closing
at time, so they've been stuck there. They've wanted to
come home for a little while, but the Dubai is
as a good start, so getting out of Pakistan and
to Dubai later on today their time will be a
(03:14):
good outcome.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
You've got as you see, you've got no control over that.
But is there a thought that maybe from Dubai it
might be a case of exit stage left? Can you
aid in that? Is that likely heath or not?
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Oh? Look, look, some of the guys are pretty keen
to come home, that's for sure, completely a bit back
to New Zealand and back to their loved ones. So
once they get to Dubai, there will be some discussions.
I'm sure with some players we'll talk to their teams
and see if they can also get home to New Zealand.
But I think in the first instance, everyone's just allowed
to get to Dubai and then then take a breath
(03:48):
and reassess things.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
What about the other side of the border with the
I p L because the paint is Indian Pakistan, but
maybe India with a stronger arm, but the issues there
closer to the border. Have been in touch with anyone
who might be in and around that vicinity.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Yeah, we've been in regular munication with it with our
members in both countries and had various teams calls and
had our security guy I talked for everyone frequently, so
there being a regular concept. The guys are feel very
safe in the hotels and the cities where they are
at the moment, but equally some are pretty keen to
(04:25):
come home as well. But as I sort of said earlier,
that's a decision in this case for the Indian government
in the Indian Cricket Board, that's who the guys are
applying their trade with them, are working for you. At
this moment, it doesn't look like the IPL is going
to be moved or anything like that, or though who
knows that decision might be made in the next day
or so. One thing I would say is certainly in Pakistan,
(04:50):
I was on calls yesterday with some senior ministers that
they were on the call briefing the guys and they
are very comfortable about the safety of our people over there.
They don't think they're at risk. Was most of this
conflict is occurring in the northern region, but they understand
that nonetheless, because of what's going on everyone, it's a
(05:12):
health and well being concerned for all the players. So
that's the key reason why they've made the decision to
move the PCEL. And we hope at some point maybe
the Indians might see it the same way that it's
not doing anyone any good to be constantly on each
about what's happening around them. So it would be nice
to see the Indians move the IPL, but if that's
(05:33):
a decision for them, so we have to just wait
and see.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
New Zealand Cricket Players Association both Boss Heath Mills to
join us. Who's paying for REGs Dickison And plainly he's
not free. He's very good at what he does. He's
been around for a long long time. But is it's
player association money? He's cricketer climbing into this Where does
that come from?
Speaker 2 (05:55):
So we've had a long standing relationship with reach with
a New Zealand Cricket Players Association obviously for many many years,
going back about twenty four years since our incidents. Some
people may remember back then that the New Zealand team
was caught up in the World Crickets Association has a
contract with Ridge actually has done for a long period
of time and we can access his support through them,
(06:16):
which we do. He's renowned. No one is an expert
in this business for us. He also has people on
the ground in the PSL. He has a contract with
the PSL to a number of the teams to have
security managers with the team. So he has a really
good relationship with the various government authorities cricket administrators in Pakistan,
(06:41):
so we soon learn what's going on and we give
a re view from him as to the capability around
the team and how good the security blanket is. So
he's been an excellent asset for us for a long
period of time.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
It's more than a blow to the Pakistan leagues. This
is huge. What does this say about the future of
this competition? I'd suggest after this there'll be a lot
of players going I'm not really sure I want to
go there. So it's not the end or is it close?
Speaker 2 (07:15):
What is this doing? Oh, look, that's a fair question.
I wouldn't overreact to it, though. I think what we've
learned after having our people on that part of the
world over many, many years, We've dealt with a number
of incidents over time, and the situation can change quite quickly.
At the moment, clearly it's not a place where our
(07:38):
people want to be and they want to get home,
and I think most Kiwis will understand that. But you know,
we all like to think and I'm sure everyone hopes
that the situation and then there in Pakistan resolves itself
pretty shortly. And things can get back to normal, So
you wouldn't wouldn't rule anything out for the future. Hopefully
the situation, the conflict the escalates soon and we can
(08:01):
get back to the normality and including with cricket in
the future.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Yeah, and like always, when you tour that part of
the world, the due diligence is huge. Before we've seen
any athletes into that area. What about Pakistan, the India
and their cricketing relationship doesn't look entirely good for that.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
Either, doesn't he Yeah, Look, I think it's important to
understand when the players are with the New Zealand team
or a New Zealand team going to anywhere in the world.
In New Zealand, cricket is responsible for their safety, you know,
and we're obviously take a keen interest in making sure
the right standards are in place. But in these situations,
the players are independent contractors and they choose to go
(08:41):
and play in various leagues and they're really doing it
under their own steam. To a certain extent, we can
only support them when issues like this emerge. So but
in terms of India and Pakistan, this conflict has been
going on for many, many years. I'm certainly not going
to be able to solve that here with you now, Darcy.
It's not great for cricket, but it's it's not great
(09:04):
for people. It's not great for the people of India,
it's not great for the people of Pakistan. It's not
great for the world in many respects to see this
conflict happenings. So of course it's gonna it continues to
impact cricket where India don't play Pakistan outside of the
ICC events, and you know, who knows that that even
might be questions a question in the short term at
the moment. So yeah, it's not not a good situation
(09:27):
for anyone, and no one likes to see what's going
on at the moment and obviously clearly impacts cricket like
it does everything else in life.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
It'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Wildergrave
from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
It'd be good evening, Heath, good evening, Darcy.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Part of the Players Association, you run it. It's the
last thing you need to hear is the trouble that's
going on between India and Pakistan, specifically with the with
the PSL. This is they're scary times, aren't they. Heath
and welcome.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Yeah, look, it's not good for anyone, you know, it's
no one likes to see what's happening in India and
Pakistan at the moment, and of course for us with
our members plying their trade in both the Pakistan Super
League and the Indian Premier League, it's it's pretty unnerving.
So it's all good to see. And you know, we've
been doing our best to stay in touch with our
(00:52):
people over the last week or so and in try
and help the way we can.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
What do you know meanything at all about what's going
on and what may happen because we know that PSL's
basically been moved, hasn't it to the United Arab Emirates?
They're out of Pakistan? Is that it?
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Yeah, that was good news overnight. We effectively heard that
that was happening last night in New Zealand time, so
we're pleased to wake up this woman that had been confirmed,
so the players have the whole whole situation is very
unsettling for the players. We know that they're safe in
the hotels. They've got excellent security around them. We've worked
(01:29):
a lot with our security expert Rige Dickerson and Time
that who's got men on the ground in Pakistan. We
know that the Pakistanis do a great job there, so
we know they've been safe in the hotels and we
know the same as for the guys in India. However,
with what's been happening and what's on the TV screens,
drones and effectively being shot down and around the cities
(01:51):
where the guys have been housed, obviously they've been extremely
anxious and worries as you can imagine, but so too
their friends and family back home. So you know they've
been wanting to get out for a few days now,
and you know, to have here that the ps ps
L was going to be moved late last night to
buy was great relief for the guys, so especially just
(02:14):
been in communications with some of them over the last
hour or so, and they're hopeful that they'll be out
sort of late earlier this evening Pakistan time, and then
to Dubai, which would be a great step.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Is there a thought maybe they want to actually come
home full stop or is it still very much on.
We're part of the PSL, We're going to keep playing.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Oh, look like the guys have wanted to most of
them have wanted to come home for the last four
or five days, but of course that's that can't happen
from here. It's a the Pakistan Super League as a
Pakistan government run essentially event in New Zealand Cricket, Australian Cricket,
the player associations and we don't have anything any control
(02:53):
over that. So unfortunately they've had to stay there. Hasn't
even been an ability to get out of Pakistan for
the last three or four days with the airspace closing
at time, so they've been stuck there. They've wanted to
come home for a little while, but the Dubai is
as a good start, so getting out of Pakistan and
to Dubai later on today their time will be a
(03:14):
good outcome.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
You've got as you see, you've got no control over that.
But is there a thought that maybe from Dubai it
might be a case of exit stage left? Can you
aid in that? Is that likely heath or not?
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Oh? Look, look, some of the guys are pretty keen
to come home, that's for sure, completely a bit back
to New Zealand and back to their loved ones. So
once they get to Dubai, there will be some discussions.
I'm sure with some players we'll talk to their teams
and see if they can also get home to New Zealand.
But I think in the first instance, everyone's just allowed
to get to Dubai and then then take a breath
(03:48):
and reassess things.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
What about the other side of the border with the
I p L because the paint is Indian Pakistan, but
maybe India with a stronger arm, but the issues there
closer to the border. Have been in touch with anyone
who might be in and around that vicinity.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Yeah, we've been in regular munication with it with our
members in both countries and had various teams calls and
had our security guy I talked for everyone frequently, so
there being a regular concept. The guys are feel very
safe in the hotels and the cities where they are
at the moment, but equally some are pretty keen to
(04:25):
come home as well. But as I sort of said earlier,
that's a decision in this case for the Indian government
in the Indian Cricket Board, that's who the guys are
applying their trade with them, are working for you. At
this moment, it doesn't look like the IPL is going
to be moved or anything like that, or though who
knows that decision might be made in the next day
or so. One thing I would say is certainly in Pakistan,
(04:50):
I was on calls yesterday with some senior ministers that
they were on the call briefing the guys and they
are very comfortable about the safety of our people over there.
They don't think they're at risk. Was most of this
conflict is occurring in the northern region, but they understand
that nonetheless, because of what's going on everyone, it's a
(05:12):
health and well being concerned for all the players. So
that's the key reason why they've made the decision to
move the PCEL. And we hope at some point maybe
the Indians might see it the same way that it's
not doing anyone any good to be constantly on each
about what's happening around them. So it would be nice
to see the Indians move the IPL, but if that's
(05:33):
a decision for them, so we have to just wait
and see.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
New Zealand Cricket Players Association both Boss Heath Mills to
join us. Who's paying for REGs Dickison And plainly he's
not free. He's very good at what he does. He's
been around for a long long time. But is it's
player association money? He's cricketer climbing into this Where does
that come from?
Speaker 2 (05:55):
So we've had a long standing relationship with reach with
a New Zealand Cricket Players Association obviously for many many years,
going back about twenty four years since our incidents. Some
people may remember back then that the New Zealand team
was caught up in the World Crickets Association has a
contract with Ridge actually has done for a long period
of time and we can access his support through them,
(06:16):
which we do. He's renowned. No one is an expert
in this business for us. He also has people on
the ground in the PSL. He has a contract with
the PSL to a number of the teams to have
security managers with the team. So he has a really
good relationship with the various government authorities cricket administrators in Pakistan,
(06:41):
so we soon learn what's going on and we give
a re view from him as to the capability around
the team and how good the security blanket is. So
he's been an excellent asset for us for a long
period of time.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
It's more than a blow to the Pakistan leagues. This
is huge. What does this say about the future of
this competition? I'd suggest after this there'll be a lot
of players going I'm not really sure I want to
go there. So it's not the end or is it close?
Speaker 2 (07:15):
What is this doing? Oh, look, that's a fair question.
I wouldn't overreact to it, though. I think what we've
learned after having our people on that part of the
world over many, many years, We've dealt with a number
of incidents over time, and the situation can change quite quickly.
At the moment, clearly it's not a place where our
(07:38):
people want to be and they want to get home,
and I think most Kiwis will understand that. But you know,
we all like to think and I'm sure everyone hopes
that the situation and then there in Pakistan resolves itself
pretty shortly. And things can get back to normal, So
you wouldn't wouldn't rule anything out for the future. Hopefully
the situation, the conflict the escalates soon and we can
(08:01):
get back to the normality and including with cricket in
the future.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Yeah, and like always, when you tour that part of
the world, the due diligence is huge. Before we've seen
any athletes into that area. What about Pakistan, the India
and their cricketing relationship doesn't look entirely good for that.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
Either, doesn't he Yeah, Look, I think it's important to
understand when the players are with the New Zealand team
or a New Zealand team going to anywhere in the world.
In New Zealand, cricket is responsible for their safety, you know,
and we're obviously take a keen interest in making sure
the right standards are in place. But in these situations,
the players are independent contractors and they choose to go
(08:41):
and play in various leagues and they're really doing it
under their own steam. To a certain extent, we can
only support them when issues like this emerge. So but
in terms of India and Pakistan, this conflict has been
going on for many, many years. I'm certainly not going
to be able to solve that here with you now, Darcy.
It's not great for cricket, but it's it's not great
(09:04):
for people. It's not great for the people of India,
it's not great for the people of Pakistan. It's not
great for the world in many respects to see this
conflict happenings. So of course it's gonna it continues to
impact cricket where India don't play Pakistan outside of the
ICC events, and you know, who knows that that even
might be questions a question in the short term at
the moment. So yeah, it's not not a good situation
(09:27):
for anyone, and no one likes to see what's going
on at the moment and obviously clearly impacts cricket like
it does everything else in life.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
It'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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