 "A soldier from Special Security Unit guards the National Stadium in Karachi. Image: Reuters")
Pakistan are all set to host the 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy with the first match scheduled to be held on 19 February in Karachi. Ahead of the marquee event, Pakistan are involved in a tri-series featuring South Africa and New Zealand. On Wednesday, two days before the final game of the series between Pakistan and New Zealand, a man was arrested at Karachi’s National Stadium with fake media accreditation cards, raising security concerns.
Major security concern in Pakistan ahead of CT 2025
The incident has put Pakistan’s security officials on high alert as the country is preparing to host an ICC event for the first time since the 1996 Cricket World Cup. An attack on the Sri Lankan team’s bus in 2009 had taken away international cricket from Pakistan but after years of lobbying and persistent efforts, the game is finally returning to the country with a mega event. However, incidents like these pose challenges to their efforts in maintaining a secure environment for the global tournament.
According to news agency PTI, a man named Muzzamil Qureshi was stopped at the entrance of the stadium on Wednesday after a security personnel grew suspicious. The man was checked by the police, who reportedly found fake media accreditation cards belonging to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC). He reportedly had another ID card showing himself as a camera person. The man was arrested and taken to the local police station for questioning.
“He was posing as a media person and had fake ICC and PCB accreditation cards. He has been arrested and is being questioned at the area police station to find out where he got the fake cards made, and why was he using them,” an official was quoted as saying by PTI.
The ICC Champions Trophy is a prestigious eight-team tournament where the world’s top cricketing nations compete in 50-over matches for the coveted title. Pakistan are set to host six international teams for the event, with India being the only exception. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) declined to send its team to Pakistan, citing the need for government approval. As a result, the ICC has relocated India’s matches to a neutral venue in the UAE. Additionally, the final is also set to be played there.