 "Champions Trophy 2025: Viral clip shows massive security breach at Karachi Stadium days before the ICC event")
Pakistan are set to host the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy from 19 February across three venues, marking the country’s first ICC event since the 1996 Cricket World Cup. However, just days before the highly anticipated tournament, a security breach at Karachi’s National Stadium has raised serious concerns.
Awarded the hosting rights in 2021, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has worked tirelessly to restore the country’s reputation as a safe cricketing destination. International teams had stopped touring Pakistan following the 2009 terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus. Over the years, the country has hosted several bilateral series to regain the ICC’s trust.
Ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy , Pakistan revamped its stadiums to ensure world-class facilities, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurating the renovated Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium last week. However, the grand inauguration of the Karachi venue has now sparked controversy over security measures.
Viral clip raises security concerns ahead of Champions Trophy 2025
Social media has been buzzing with videos allegedly from the Karachi stadium’s reopening ceremony. One particular clip has gone viral, showing fans climbing walls and jumping railings in a desperate attempt to enter the stadium. The footage has led to criticism, as Pakistan had assured the ICC of strict security measures.
I thought Only India's Got Talent but i was wrong, even #Pakistanis have great Talent.
— Aisha Dar (@AishaDar19) February 13, 2025
See How they entered the stadium on the opening day of renovated #Karachi National Stadium. #ViralVideo #KarachiNationalStadium #ViralVideo #Rcbcaptain #LoveIsland #BirdFlu #VickyKausha pic.twitter.com/wWd4neN74r
Adding to the security concerns, an alarming incident unfolded on Wednesday, just two days before the final game of the Pakistan-New Zealand-South Africa tri-series. A man named Muzzamil Qureshi was arrested at Karachi’s stadium for attempting to enter with fake media accreditation cards.
According to reports, security personnel at the entrance grew suspicious and, upon checking, found fake PCB and ICC media passes. Qureshi also had an ID card claiming he was a camera operator. He was immediately taken into custody and transferred to the local police station for further investigation.
Meanwhile, India’s Champions Trophy matches will be played at a neutral venue due to the BCCI’s refusal to send a team to Pakistan. The ICC has picked Dubai for all of India’s games as well as the final.
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