Basit Ali warns PCB of security threats that could jeopardize Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2025 hosting rights

As Pakistan gears up to host a series of high-profile cricket matches, including the eagerly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the former Pakistani batter and coach Basit Ali has raised urgent and high-stakes concerns over security measures for the visiting teams.

Basit has called the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the urgent need for strong safety measures as the Bangladesh cricket team has already landed in Pakistan for the upcoming two-match Test series, and then England and the West Indies will visit the country.

Basit Ali demands top-tier protection for visiting team amidst security threats in Pakistan ahead of Champions Trophy 2025

With the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 on the horizon, Pakistan faces immense pressure to ensure a flawless security setup. Amidst the several challenges PCB is facing, Ali has issued a stark warning about the potential consequences if the security situation is not effectively addressed.

Pakistan has always faced mounting challenges when it comes to security, and given the terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in 2009, the former national selector has emphasized that any security lapses could jeopardize Pakistan's dream of hosting the Champions Trophy 2025.

Basit Ali said in his latest video on YouTube: “I think Bangladesh is coming to Pakistan because of the Champions Trophy 2025. After Bangladesh, England and the West Indies will also visit Pakistan. So, we will have to tighten the security. Because, God forbid, if any such incident happens, then Pakistan will lose the hosting rights of the Champions Trophy 2024. You know that our soldiers are being martyred in Balochistan and Peshawar.”

There should not be even a small incident in Pakistan: Basit Ali

Furthermore, Basit has pointed out the grave situation in Balochistan and Peshawar, where security forces have been targeted, to highlight the severity of the current threats in Pakistan.

He urged the government and the PCB to prioritize the safety of visiting teams with the same level of protection afforded to the Prime Minister and President for upcoming international events.

He further noted, “Only the government can tell us what the reason is behind that incident, but it is wrong. The government should focus on that as well. There should not be even a small incident in the upcoming cricket events. The security that the Prime Minister or the President gets in our country, the touring players or teams should get the same security in the country.”

Mohsin Naqvi must ensure tight security for visiting teams: Ali

He also urged the PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, who also has power in the government to ensure strong security arrangements for the upcoming matches in Pakistan if they don’t want to lose the hosting rights of the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 in February-March.

Basit signed off by saying, “And there should not be even a small incident. I think Mohsin Nqvi, who is the chairman of the PCB, also has the power and connection to the government. I think he will be very aware of how our security they should employ for the teams.”

Notably, the BCCI has been already denying to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 due to security concerns, and Basit stressed that the PCB must ensure there should not be even a small incident in Pakistan, otherwise, things will turn worse for them.