Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has underlined how crucial it is to keep up strict security protocols as Pakistan gets ready to host the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, report agencies.
Pakistan will host its first ICC event since co-hosting the ODI World Cup in 1996 alongside India and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan will host an the ICC event after a hiatus of 18 years with Champions Trophy 2025 scheduled to commence in February 2025.
Ali emphasized that Pakistan's chances of hosting the Champions Trophy successfully could be jeopardized by any security lapses during the next series against Bangladesh, England, and the West Indies.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ali emphasized that these excursions require increased protection.
"Since the Champions Trophy is in Pakistan, and teams like England and West Indies are scheduled to tour after Bangladesh, we must pay attention to security," he said.
"God forbid, the Champions Trophy won't be played here if there is any incident in these tours. Our soldiers are getting martyred in Balochistan and Peshawar. Only the government can answer why it has been happening, but it's wrong."
Past occurrences where foreign teams have voiced dread while touring Pakistan are the source of security concerns. Due to security concerns, New Zealand abruptly called off their tour in 2021, just before the ODI series began. Later that year, England also canceled their planned tour.
Ali went on to stress how crucial it is to provide the highest degree of protection for visiting teams. "We have to make sure there isn't even a minor security lapse. The international teams ought to have the same level of protection as our president and prime minister. "These are things that I'm sure Mohsin Naqvi will know about."
Security becomes even more crucial as Pakistan's home cricket season gets underway on August 21 with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh.
Pakistan's hopes of hosting the event could be derailed by any unfavorable events that transpire during these series. The former cricket player who is now an analyst emphasized how crucial it is to completely rule out any chance of security breaches in order to protect these plans.
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