A high-profile delegation from New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has arrived in Pakistan to inspect the security measures and arrangements ahead of the upcoming tri-series in January 2025.
Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa will be involved in the ODI Tri-series that will serve as a warm-up to the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 scheduled for February and March.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) delegation arrives in Pakistan for Tri-Series security inspection
As part of the official New Zealand Cricket (NZC) delegation, Brad Rodden, a representative of the New Zealand Players’ Association, and renowned security expert Reg Dickason are visiting the host cities of the upcoming Tri-series, including Karachi and Lahore.
Their mission is to assess the security protocols and finalize preparations for the Tri-series between Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa. The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) delegation’s visit comes at a crucial time, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) also sending a delegation to Pakistan to review the arrangements for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.
ICC officials inspect Pakistan’s stadiums for Champions Trophy 2025
The ICC delegation has already inspected Karachi’s National Stadium, and they are all set to visit stadiums in Lahore and Rawalpindi. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been renovating the facilities in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi for next year’s Champions Trophy.
The inspections are part of routine procedures before significant international tournaments. Pakistan is preparing to host the world’s top cricket teams next year, including New Zealand and South Africa for the Tri-series and then the likes of England and Australia in the Champions Trophy 2025.
In preparation for these high-profile events, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is investing a massive 12 billion rupees into renovating and upgrading stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.
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Mohsin Naqvi pledges state-level security for teams visiting Pakistan
Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the PCB, reassured everyone that the board is fully prepared to host the top teams of the world, and the construction is set to be completed ahead of schedule.
Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s federal minister of the interior, emphasized that state-level security will be provided for all teams visiting the country, and he will personally supervise this responsibility during the upcoming tri-series and the multi-nation mega event.
With the Tri-series between New Zealand, South Africa, and Pakistan set to start just days before the Champions Trophy 2025, the inspections and preparations are key to ensuring the smooth and secure hosting of the upcoming competitions.
India will not visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy
Notably, India will not be visiting Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy due to security reasons, and they will play all their games in a neutral venue. Following the fusion model, Pakistan will not also travel to India for any ICC event till 2027, as confirmed by the ICC earlier this week.
At the moment, Pakistan is currently on the South Africa tour for the multi-format series, including a one-off Test, starting on December 26, while New Zealand is all set to host Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series and a three-match T20I series, starting on December 28.