Pakistan is hosting the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is a remarkable achievement for the country after facing long years in isolation. But the question is still rising: How safe is the country for an international tournament? 

The ICC Champions Trophy has returned after eight years, and Pakistan is hosting the ninth edition of the tournament. The country Pakistan, which faced isolation from international cricket for many years, especially after the terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team bus in 2009, which also took away Pakistan's hosting chance of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 (India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh remained as hosts). Before the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan previously hosted an ICC tournament back in the World Cup 1996.

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Six foreign teams have traveled to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy

Eight teams are participating in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which started on February 23. While six teams are playing in the tournament in Pakistan, along with the hosts Pakistan, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, citing security concerns. Ultimately, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have arranged all Indian matches of the tournament at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

Warnings for the tournament

Although the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is running without any big trouble, the threat is still looming. Recently, Pakistan's Intelligence Bureau has issued a serious warning of possible foreigners kidnapping for ransom, and the threat is to the foreigners who are attending the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Afghanistan's intelligence agency (GDI) has also issued a similar warning. 

More recent dramas

Despite recent financial trouble and political turmoil in the nation and continuous terrorist attack news from the entire country, the PCB's stubbornness has slowly opened up places to host international cricket matches by welcoming foreign teams but under tight security. However, one of the significant moments in recent years, which wasn't on any positive side, was the New Zealand Cricket's (NZC) abandonment decision of the Pakistan tour of the men's team following a New Zealand government security alert. That decision came on the day when the three-match ODI series was scheduled to begin. 

Also, not to forget, the Sri Lanka A team returned home from Pakistan in the middle of the fixtures due to political unrest in Pakistan last November.

Some foreigners, who have experienced Pakistan's condition in recent times, have strongly questioned the necessity of hosting the ICC tournament in the country.

Just before the beginning of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan fans invaded National Stadium in Karachi during the opening ceremony of the tournament.  

The latest discomfortable picture

Now, another scene has raised the security question in Pakistan, while the country has tried to host the tournament in very tight security. During the match between Bangladesh and New Zealand in Group A last Monday (February 24) at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (Rawalpindi), a fan invaded while New Zealand were chasing the 237-run target.

Although it is very common nowadays in any big matches, it is not a good sign for Pakistan cricket. Although the PCB has ensured to take strict action for this incident, the question has arisen once again, and it is: Is Pakistan safe for an international tournament?