Cricket Australia delegation arrives in Pakistan to assess security arrangements

Australia are due to tour Pakistan in March-April. Ahead of the series, a four-member delegation from Cricket Australia (CA), which comprises security experts, have reached Pakistan to assess the security arrangements in place. The panel will also monitor the COVID-19 situation in Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore.

According to a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesperson, the four-member delegation will visit the National Stadium in Karachi. They will check the security arrangements in place and then would depart for Rawalpindi and Lahore.

Before Australia’s tour of Pakistan, West Indies will be visiting the country for six white-ball matches, due to begin on December 13. CA’s experts would also inspect the arrangements made by Pakistan for the West Indian team. Earlier, reports mentioned that PCB have deployed close to 800 police officers, including women commandos to guard the West Indian team.

PCB chairman Ramiz Raja is not ready to take any risks after the withdrawal of New Zealand and England teams due to security concerns. Meanwhile, the PCB sources also confirmed that CA delegation will watch two T20I fixtures between Pakistan and West Indies. Australia will tour Pakistan after 24 years.

Meanwhile, England have also committed PCB that they will tour Pakistan next year. If the Men in Green can host these three top teams successfully, international cricket will once again be blooming in the country. Pakistan are set to host the Champions Trophy in 2025.