Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has stressed on maintaining strict security measures in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan in 2025. He has said that this will be the first ICC event in Pakistan after the 1996 ODI World Cup. 28 years ago, Pakistan hosted the major ICC event along with India and Sri Lanka.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ali stressed the need to increase security measures. He said, “Since the Champions Trophy is in Pakistan and after Bangladesh, teams like England and West Indies are to tour, we should pay attention to security. God forbid, if any incident happens during these tours, it will not be possible to hold the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Our soldiers are being martyred in Balochistan and Peshawar. Only the government can answer why this is happening, but this is wrong.

In 2021, New Zealand abruptly cancelled their tour just before the start of the ODI series due to security concerns and England also pulled out of their scheduled tour later that year. Ali further said that it is important to ensure top-level security for the visiting teams. Ali said, “We should ensure that there is no lapse in security. I am sure PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi will be aware of these things.

The focus on security becomes even more important as Pakistan's domestic cricket season begins on August 21 with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The country's goal is to ensure that all visiting teams feel safe, which is also essential to successfully host the 2025 Champions Trophy. Any such incident during these series could cost Pakistan the hosting rights of the Champions Trophy.