There was a huge security breach during the ongoing Champions Trophy in Pakistan when an alleged supporter of an Islamist political party managed to enter the ground at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium during a Group A match between New Zealand and Bangladesh. The said intruder managed to get close to a New Zealand cricketer, Rachin Ravindra, to hug him and annoy the Kiwi, carrying a picture of Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) leader Saad Rizvi as per news agency AP .
New Zealand’s run-chase saw Rachin and Tom Latham in the middle for the tourists when the incident happened.
Ravindra completed a fine century as New Zealand went on to defeat Bangladesh by five wickets to enter the semifinals. In fact, it sealed India’s place into the last-four, thus knocking both Pakistan and Bangladesh out of the ICC tournament.
Meanwhile, the Intelligence Bureau of Pakistan has issued a high alert against an alleged plot to kidnap foreign guests of the Champions Trophy for ransom. According to CNN-News18, the alert has been issued against multiple terrorist outfits including Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, ISIS, and many others.
— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) February 24, 2025
For the first time in 29 years, Pakistan is hosting an ICC tournament, a situation that has seen the BCCI not sending the Indian cricket team across the border for the tournament, citing the denial of permission from the Indian government.
Due to the political tussle between the two nations, bilateral cricket ties between India and Pakistan are still not active.
The competition thus is taking place in a Hybrid Model, being hosted by BCCI at Dubai along with the rest of the matches of the Indian team. One of the semifinals and the final (if India qualifies) will also happen in Dubai.
India have remained very impressive thus far in the tournament, having beaten Bangladesh and host Pakistan to advance to the semi-final stage.
The Rohit Sharma-led side will face New Zealand in their third and final Group A fixture on March 2.
