The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has so far confirmed only that the IPL has been paused for a week. But with 16 games remaining and overseas players now in the process of flying respective home, its resumption is shrouded in doubt.

The Guardian understands that Richard Gould, the ECB’s chief executive, has already reached out to his equivalents at the BCCI offering his support. Should India be unable to restart the IPL after this week-long hiatus, one suggestion is for England to host the remaining fixtures later in the year.

A senior ECB source has confirmed this could be possible in September, albeit adding that no “active discussions” are currently taking place. A similar offer from English cricket came in 2021 when the IPL was paused by the Covid-19 pandemic, though the UAE eventually served as stand-in hosts.

The decision to halt the IPL followed the abandonment of Thursday’s fixture between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala midway through its first innings after a military base in Pathankot, about 80km away, was targeted by what Indian officials described as “missiles and drones”. Floodlights were turned off and fans asked to leave while the players and staff of the two teams were rushed away from the ground, some still wearing their pads. Dharamsala is one of 27 Indian airports now closed because of security concerns, forcing the teams to stay until Friday morning before travelling to Delhi by train.

“Further updates regarding the new schedule and venues of the tournament will be announced in due course after a comprehensive assessment of the situation in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders,” Devajit Saikia, the BCCI secretary, said in a statement, adding the decision had been taken “following the representations from most of the franchisees, who conveyed the concern and sentiments of their players, and also the views of the broadcaster, sponsors and fans”.