Pakistan’s security forces have been on high alert due to security concerns regarding foreign nationals witnessing the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The Pakistan Intelligence Bureau has “issued a warning about a potential threat from the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), which is reportedly planning to kidnap foreigners attending the Champions Trophy 2025 for ransom,” according to an India Today report. The terror organization has initiated surveillance at ports, airports, offices, and residential areas in anticipation of targeting Chinese and Arab nationals, according to the report.
The report also asserted that Afghanistan’s intelligence agency (GDI) has issued an alert regarding potential ISKP attacks.
According to an additional report in local news channel, “an alert has been issued against several terror outfits, including Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), ISIS, and other Balochistan-based groups” for the same cause.
Pakistan’s security forces, which included the local police and rangers, deployed protection squads to areas that were likely to be targeted. In Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, the three cities that host Champions Trophy matches, the security coverage for the athletes and support staff members has been enhanced.
The rationale behind India’s refusal to participate in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan
Pakistan has a history of experiencing security concerns during cricket tournaments. In 2009, a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus resulted in the injuries of a prominent Sri Lankan Test cricketer and an ICC Elite Panel umpire, which resulted in the displacement of international cricket from Pakistan for a decade. The majority of the team’s home matches were played in the United Arab Emirates during this period. It was not until 2019 that prominent nations resumed their bilateral matches in Pakistan.
The Champions Trophy 2025 was Pakistan’s inaugural ICC tournament to be awarded on an individual basis. They last hosted an ICC event in 1996, when the ODI World Cup was contested in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Additionally, India declined to travel to Pakistan for security reasons, necessitating the relocation of specific Champions Trophy matches to Dubai.
At least one match will be played in Pakistan by the other six teams: Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. All matches of Group B, which includes Australia, South Africa, England, and Afghanistan, are played in Pakistan. However, the semi-finalist from this group, who will face India, will be required to travel to Dubai.
In the interim, the ICC’s decision to host the Champions Trophy in a hybrid paradigm has been met with criticism from both current and former cricketers. They contend that this provides India with an unfair advantage, as they are the sole team to play all of their matches at a single location.
