In an unexpected twist, the IPL 2025 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has captured significant attention in Pakistan, despite the nation's traditional focus on its own Pakistan Super League (PSL).

This surge in interest coincides with a recent pause in the IPL due to escalating tensions along the India-Pakistan border.

The IPL resumed after a nine-day hiatus prompted by military confrontations between the two nations. The conflict intensified following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists. India attributed the attack to Pakistan-based militants and responded with "Operation Sindoor," targeting sites in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab.

These developments have heightened public interest in India, including its cricketing events. The RCB vs KKR match, currently delayed due to rain in Bengaluru, has become a focal point for Pakistani viewers, reflecting a broader engagement with Indian affairs during this period of heightened tensions. Although the PSL also resumes on the same day, there was no trending query for the tournament in Pakistan.

For the past 24 hours (May 16 8 pm to May 17 8 pm), there were lesser volume in searches for PSL but it was around 20,000 and more for the IPL in Pakistan.

At about 8 pm IST/7:30 pm Pakistan time, the trend showed significant rise in Google searches while the PSL was not in picture. But the scenario changed after 8 pm as the search volume of the PSL took over the IPL.

Disclaimer: The Google Trends numbers are correct as of 8 pm IST on Saturday, May 17, 2025.