New Zealand delegation asses security arrangements in Pakistan ahead of ODI tri-series

NEW DELHI: A delegation from New Zealand Cricket has traveled to Pakistan to examine security and other preparations for a tri-series that is planned for January. South Africa is the third team competing in the tournament, along with hosts Pakistan and New Zealand.

The multi-team competition is being held in Pakistan as a prelude to the ICC Champions Trophy in February and March.

Brad Rodden, a representative of the New Zealand Players' Association, and security specialist Reg Dickason are part of the New Zealand group in Karachi and Lahore to talk about security plans and other event preparations.

A powerful ICC mission has also arrived in Pakistan at about the same time to examine current arrangements and preparations for the eight-team Champions Trophy.

Before traveling to Lahore and Rawalpindi, the ICC group also stopped by Karachi's National Stadium.

According to a PCB official, the visits were customary before important occasions because Pakistan would host elite cricket teams in February and March.

Delegations from New Zealand and the ICC closely examined the ongoing makeover and repair work being done at the stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, on which the PCB is investing 12 billion rupees to prepare them for the Champions Trophy.

Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the PCB, stated on Friday that the board was prepared to receive and accommodate all teams as long as stadium construction was finished ahead of schedule.

Additionally, he stated that all teams entering Pakistan would be subject to state-level security, which he would personally oversee in his capacity as federal minister of the interior.

As part of their assessment, the NZC group also went to Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and Rawalpindi Stadium.

Only a few days before the Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, Pakistan will host South Africa and New Zealand for an ODI tri-series.