‘Terror Threat’ Puts Champions Trophy 2025 In Trouble. Report Claims ‘Kidnapping Plot’

Pakistan’s Intelligence Bureau (IB) has reportedly issued a high alert after uncovering an alleged plot by “active covert groups” to kidnap foreign guests during the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025. Except for India, all the other teams are playing their matches in Pakistan and if India fail to reach the final, the summit clash will also be played in the country. However, according to a report by CNN-News18, an alert has been issued against a number of terror outfits “including Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), ISIS and other Balochistan-based groups” after warnings regarding alleged abduction plots. The report added that the security forces “have deployed high-level protection teams, including rangers and local police”.

The Indian cricket team is playing all of their matches in Dubai after the Indian government decided to not send them to Pakistan. In case of India reaching the semifinal and final of the competition, both of the matches will also take place in Dubai with the opposition travelling from Pakistan.

The backlash due to the poor show in the Champions Trophy, including the humiliating defeat to India, hit the Pakistan team hard and its support staff led by former fast bowler Aaqib Javed is set to be overhauled, according to a cricket Board source.

Pakistan lost to arch-rivals India by six wickets in Dubai on Sunday, after their 60-run defeat to New Zealand in the Champions Trophy opener in Karachi on February 19.

A well-informed source in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that Aaqib will be relieved of his duties as interim head coach after the Champions Trophy.

“Obviously there is backlash over the team’s performance in the CT. The Board hasn’t decided as yet on whether the team will have separate head coaches (for red and white ball teams) but one thing is certain the current support staff will be overhauled now after the poor show in the Champions Trophy,” the source told PTI.

“But the way the Board has been changing coaches and selectors since last year, it will be a challenge to find other candidates for these positions,” he said.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had appointed Aaqib as interim head coach first of the white ball team late last year after the resignation of Gary Kirsten. Aaqib was later asked to take over as interim red-ball coach also for the series in South Africa and against the West Indies at home after Australian Jason Gillispie left.

(With PTI inputs)