Pakistan’s Intelligence Bureau issued a high alert on Monday, cautioning security forces about a suspected plot by “active covert groups" to abduct foreign guests attending the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, according to CNN-News18.
The CNN-News18 report stated that an alert has been issued against several terror outfits, including Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), ISIS and other Balochistan-based groups.
Earlier, Pakistan has been accused of downplaying attacks on foreign nationals. Incidents such as the 2024 attack on Chinese engineers in Shangla and the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore have raised doubts about its security preparedness.
The Champions Trophy was earlier known as the ICC Knockout when it was staged in Dhaka in its 1998 debut, and then in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2000.
“The event was renamed the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002 and was held every two years until 2009 (when it was held in South Africa after the scheduled event in 2008 in Pakistan had to be cancelled). Subsequently the event moved to a four-year cycle and features the top eight teams in the ICC one-day rankings,” the ICC website stated.
India had refused to travel to Pakistan citing security concerns. The decision had sparked debate but Pakistan’s security situation and geopolitical tensions are believed to be major factors behind India’s decision.
Recently Pakistan’s cricketing veterans such as Inzamam-ul-Haq, Ramiz Raja, and Misbah-ul-Haq have spoken about significance of the 2025 Champions Trophy. Inzamam-ul-Haq recalled how the 2009 attack changed the course of Pakistan cricket.
“Right now, everyone is talking about the Champions Trophy – in schools, houses, markets, offices, everywhere. The events of 2009 feel like a bad dream. We were punished for 10 years. Our cricket went backwards,” Inzamam told Reuters.
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