Pakistan rocked by BOMB BLAST near Lahore during Champions Trophy 2025; multiple Killed

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is under a terror threat after a bomb blast in Pakistan's Akora Khattak district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Notably, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is hosting the eight-team tournament, which is the first major ICC event in the country since the 1996 World Cup.

Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi were designated venues for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to send the Rohit Sharma-led team to the neighboring nation. After months of discussions, the PCB agreed to host the tournament in a hybrid model.

India will not play any matches on Pakistani soil during the Champions Trophy, with all their games scheduled at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The Indian men's team has not toured Pakistan for a cricket match since the 2008 Asia Cup. Pakistan had to travel to Dubai for their fixture against India.

Terror Attack Hits Pakistan During Champions Trophy, Multiple Casualties Confirmed

According to the latest news reports, a powerful bomb exploded inside a pro-Taliban seminary in Akora Khattak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Friday. A total of at least five people were killed, and dozens were injured. The explosion occurred just before the start of Ramadan, according to local police officials.

The bomb blast location is just 600 kilometers from Lahore, where an ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match between Afghanistan and Australia was taking place at the time. This incident has once again raised concerns over security arrangements in Pakistan, especially with foreign cricketers in the country.

BIG ⚠️🚨 Amidst #iccchampionstrophy2025 tournament in Pakistan, Massive Bomb Blast in Pak's Peshawar; Atleast 5 killed and many injured pic.twitter.com/nhM7YKxMXK

— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) February 28, 2025

Mohsin Naqvi Strongly Condemns Blast at Darul Uloom Haqqania Akora Khat

Pakistan’s Interior Minister and PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, condemned the bomb blast. In a statement on X, the interior ministry conveyed Naqvi’s condolences to the families of the victims and his prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.

"Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the blast at Darul Uloom Haqqania Akora Khattak Jamia Mosque, expressed deep sorrow and regret over the loss of precious human lives in the blast. [He] extends heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of the martyrs, prays for the speedy recovery of the injured, including Maulana Hamid-ul-Haq Haqqani.”

وفاقی وزیرداخلہ محسن نقوی کی دارالعلوم حقانیہ اکوڑہ خٹک جامع مسجد میں دھماکے کی شدید الفاظ میں مذمت
وزیرداخلہ کا دھماکے میں مولانا حامد الحق سمیت دیگر افراد کی شہادت پر گہرے دکھ اور افسوس کا اظہار
مولانا حامد الحق اور دیگر شہداء کے خاندانوں سے دلی ہمدردی و اظہار تعزیت

— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) February 28, 2025

Defending Champions Pakistan Eliminated from ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Defending champions Pakistan were already eliminated from the ICC Champions Trophy after a disappointing campaign. The Mohammad Rizwan-led side started with a 60-run loss to New Zealand in the tournament opener, and they suffered a six-wicket defeat to arch-rivals India in a must-win match.

Pakistan failed to defend a 242-run target against India, as Virat Kohli guided Rohit Sharma’s side to victory with an unbeaten century. Their hopes of advancing were officially crushed when New Zealand defeated Bangladesh on February 24. Their final group-stage match against Bangladesh was washed out.

The Men in Green ended the tournament winless and finished at the bottom of Group A with a net run rate of -1.087, while Bangladesh had a slightly better NRR of -0.443.

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