RAWALPINDI (Kashmir English): Punjab Police has chalked out a comprehensive security plan for the ICC Champions Trophy matches to be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
According to Punjab Police, over 12,000 officers and personnel will be deployed collectively to ensure security during the matches in both cities.
Eighteen senior police officers, 54 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), 135 inspectors, and 1,200 upper subordinates will be part of the security team while 10,556 constables and more than 200 female police officers will also be assigned security duties, according to the officials.
According to the tournament schedule, three matches will be played in garrison city of Rawalpindi on February 24, 25 and 27 while provincial capital Lahore will also host three matches on February 22, 26, and March 5. More than 8,000 personnel will perform security duty during the ICC Champions Trophy matches in Lahore.
More than 5,000 officers and personnel will perform security duties during the matches in Rawalpindi. Six senior police officers, 15 DSPs, 50 inspectors, 500 upper subordinates, 4,000 constables, and over 100 female personnel will also perform security duty.
Similarly as many as 12 senior officers, 39 DSPs, 86 inspectors, and 700 upper subordinates are part of the security team while 6,673 constables and 129 lady constables will also perform security and checking duties.
Punjab police has said that it would provide full security to national, foreign players, officials and cricket fans. In this regard, coordination among Pakistan Cricket Board, district administration, and security agencies has been completed.
Meanwhile, search, sweep, combing and intelligence-based operations are continuing around the players’ residences, routes, and stadiums. Security will be on high alert during the matches, and traffic flow will be maintained.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will kick off today (February 19) with the opening match in Karachi between Pakistan and New Zealand. The match will be played after a small ceremony at the National Bank Cricket Stadium.
However, as always, the most anticipated clash will be the high-stakes showdown between arch-rivals Pakistan and India, on February 23 in Dubai.
The tournament’s final is scheduled to take place at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore unless India reaches it, and in that case it will be held in Dubai.
Champions Trophy schedule
February 19, Pakistan vs New Zealand, Karachi
February 20, Bangladesh vs India, Dubai, UAE
February 21, Afghanistan vs South Africa, Karachi
February 22, Australia vs England, Lahore
February 23, Pakistan vs India, Dubai
February 24, Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Rawalpindi
February 25, Australia vs South Africa, Rawalpindi
February 26, Afghanistan vs England, Lahore
February 27, Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Rawalpindi
February 28, Afghanistan vs Australia, Lahore
March 1, South Africa vs England, Karachi
March 2, New Zealand vs India, Dubai, UAE
March 4, Semi-final 1, Dubai, UAE
March 5, Semi-final 2, Lahore
March 9, Final, Lahore (unless India qualify, when it will be played in Dubai)
March 10, Reserve day
