Lights Out or Logic Out? Pak’s Bizarre IPL Sabotage Claim
In a claim that raised more eyebrows than applause, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared in Parliament that Pakistani cyber operatives “did wonders” during the recent India-Pakistan standoff — by remotely switching off floodlights during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match. According to Asif, this was part of a strategic cyber operation targeting Indian infrastructure, in response to India’s Operation Sindoor. Unfortunately for him, no technical proof was provided, and the internet responded accordingly — with memes and mockery.
Operation Sindoor and the Dharamsala Power Drop
This electrifying (or perhaps de-electrifying) claim comes on the heels of India’s Operation Sindoor — a high-impact military response following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025. As India intensified strikes across terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Pakistan's leadership scrambled to show strength — and Asif’s latest “cyber powerplay” seems to be part of that attempt.
Asif referenced an incident during an IPL 2025 match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals at Dharamsala, where floodlights unexpectedly cut out during the 11th over. While this did raise concerns, it was later revealed that an air raid warning, not any cyber intrusion, had caused emergency protocols to trigger the outage. The match was briefly suspended, and both players and fans were evacuated safely.
Yet, Asif insists that it was a “successful hack” — even claiming that dams were among the other targets. (No water was harmed in the making of this cyber fantasy.)
Online Mockery: Trolls Unleashed
The reaction online was swift, and brutal. Social media users from India — and even some from Pakistan — roasted the defence minister with surgical precision.
· “First pay your electricity bill, then talk about hacking ours,” one user quipped on X (formerly Twitter), referencing Pakistan’s infamous power outages and nationwide blackouts.
· Another joked, “If switching off lights is your cyber peak, you're ready to join IT support.”
· A popular meme read: “Meanwhile in Pakistan Cyber HQ – Ctrl + Alt + Delete ke baad sab blackout!”
The ridicule was amplified by the lack of any credible evidence, and the fact that the IPL resumed smoothly, ultimately culminating with Royal Challengers Bangalore finally lifting the trophy — a bigger shock to fans than any cyberattack.
Why This Claim (Probably) Happened
Experts suggest that Asif’s claim is less about fact and more about fiction with strategic intent. It’s a classic case of political theatre, aimed at:
· Distracting domestic audiences from mounting economic woes, power shortages, and inflation.
· Responding symbolically to India’s successful military strikes under Operation Sindoor.
· Attempting to portray technological parity, even though Pakistan's cyber infrastructure is nowhere near the sophistication needed to breach Indian energy grids — especially during a high-security event like the IPL.
Ironically, Pakistan’s own state-run power grids have been subject to frequent collapses without any foreign interference, making the “cyber warrior” boast even harder to digest.
From IPL Lights to International Laughs
In the great geopolitical arena, cyber warfare is a serious domain. But turning a floodlight flicker into a frontline cyber victory is a stretch even for the most imaginative spin doctor. Khawaja Asif’s theatrical claim — unsupported and technically implausible — has done little to boost Pakistan’s global credibility. Instead, it has highlighted the growing gap between rhetoric and reality, especially in the digital domain.
If anything, the IPL blackout saga proves one thing: when real facts fail, some ministers prefer switching off common sense instead.
(With agency inputs)
