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As Pakistan prepares to host a string of major cricket events, including the much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025, former Pakistani player and coach Basit Ali has voiced pressing concerns about the security arrangements for the visiting teams.
With the Bangladesh cricket team already in Pakistan for a two-match Test series and England and the West Indies scheduled to follow, Basit is urging the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to enhance safety measures.
Basit Ali calls for enhanced security for visiting teams in Pakistan ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy due to current threats.
As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaches, Pakistan is under significant pressure to deliver an impeccable security framework. In light of the numerous challenges confronting the PCB, Basit Ali has issued a serious caution regarding the potential fallout if security issues are not properly managed.
Given Pakistan’s historical security challenges and the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus, the former national selector warns that any lapses could jeopardize Pakistan’s aspirations of successfully hosting the Champions Trophy 2025.
Basit Ali said in his latest video on YouTube: “I think Bangladesh is coming to Pakistan because of the Champions Trophy 2025. After Bangladesh, England and the West Indies will also visit Pakistan. So, we will have to tighten the security. Because, God forbid, if any such incident happens, then Pakistan will lose the hosting rights of the Champions Trophy 2024. You know that our soldiers are being martyred in Balochistan and Peshawar.”
There should not be even a small incident in Pakistan: Basit Ali
Basit Ali has highlighted the dire security situation in Balochistan and Peshawar, where attacks on security forces underscore the severity of the threats facing Pakistan. He has called on both the government and the PCB to extend the same high level of protection provided to the Prime Minister and President to the visiting teams for the upcoming international matches.
He further noted, “Only the government can tell us what the reason is behind that incident, but it is wrong. The government should focus on that as well. There should not be even a small incident in the upcoming cricket events. The security that the Prime Minister or the President gets in our country, the touring players or teams should get the same security in the country.”
Mohsin Naqvi must ensure tight security for visiting teams: Ali
He also urged PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who holds influence within the government, to ensure robust security measures for the upcoming matches in Pakistan. If these arrangements are not made, there is a risk of losing the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy 2025 scheduled for February-March.
Basit signed off by saying, “And there should not be even a small incident. I think Mohsin Nqvi, who is the chairman of the PCB, also has the power and connection to the government. I think he will be very aware of how our security they should employ for the teams.”
The BCCI has already refused to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 over security concerns. Basit Ali emphasized that the PCB must guarantee flawless security; even a minor incident could worsen the situation significantly.
