ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Security compromised at Karachi Stadium inauguration; massive threat declared

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has faced criticism ahead of the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to commence on February 19. The grand opening ceremony of the marquee tournament in Pakistan was marred by chaos outside Karachi's stadium, with fans scaling the stadium grills.

Pakistan is set to host the Champions Trophy 2025 in a hybrid model after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) raised security concerns about sending their team. The other cricket boards agreed to travel to Pakistan, but the BCCI adhered to the Indian government's advice and declined to send their team.

Watch: Security Concerns in Pakistan as Ticketless Fans Storm Karachi Stadium before ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The Pakistan Cricket Board worked hard to prepare the venues for the event. Both the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the National Stadium in Karachi underwent significant renovations in recent months. Notably, the PCB officially inaugurated the two venues ahead of the Tri-Series earlier this month.

The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the renovated Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, while the Karachi venue was officially opened earlier this week. However, footage from the Karachi event has raised concerns about security arrangements.

Some alleged footage from the event showed chaotic scenes outside the stadium, with fans climbing walls and jumping over railings to force their way in. This venue will host the Champions Trophy opener, and the footage has exposed potential flaws in the PCB's preparations for the event.

The scene of VIP entry during Grand opening ceremony of Champions trophy 2025 in Karachi Pakistan
pic.twitter.com/7GPpMxQkyU

— Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) February 13, 2025

Security Struggled to Manage Large Crowd at Opening Event

The chaos reportedly began due to poor handling at the VIP entry gates, where attendees were left stranded as security struggled to manage the large crowd. With the gates locked and no clear guidance, fans began climbing barriers to enter the venue.

The man recording the video can be heard expressing frustration, saying, "All doors are closed, all entrances are closed. See how people are doing. This is what they have done. There is no management."

The arrangements for the Champions Trophy may require ticket purchases for entry, but the videos raise concerns for both fans traveling to Pakistan and the players. One video also showed a fan breaching security and running onto the field during the opening ceremony, further highlighting security issues.

Netizens Criticize Handling of High-Profile Tournament’s Opening Event

The video has sparked a strong reaction from netizens, with many questioning how the opening event of the high-profile tournament was managed.

A user wrote, "This is a big security lapse. This is why teams are not travelling to Pakistan for cricket match."

Another user commented, "Security in Pakistan is Myth".

A third user wrote, "Its Big security lapse.. ICC should change the venue of champions trophy from karachi to Dubai."

Pakistan last hosted a major cricket event during the 1996 World Cup, which they co-hosted with India. After a 10-year break, international cricket returned to Pakistan in 2019. Since then, teams like New Zealand, England, and Australia have played matches in the country across different formats.

Also read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Ravichandran Ashwin raises 'Serious' questions on team India's selections