Pakistan Deploys Army for Tri-Nation Cricket Series as PTI Plans Protests
The most awaited tri-nation series between Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand will kick off on February 8. Pakistan will host this One Day International (ODI) tri-series in Lahore and Karachi. This series is part of their preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Former cricketer and Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan's political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has declared February 8 as a “Black Day” and this political party plans to hold protests across the country. Imran Khan's party is marking the first anniversary of the February 2024 national elections, which it claims were rigged.
Due to this issue, Pakistan's Interior Ministry announced on Monday that the army and Punjab Rangers will be deployed to provide security for the New Zealand and South Africa cricket teams ahead of a tri-nation series starting this week.
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To protect the cricket teams, the Interior Ministry issued an official notice stating that the army and Punjab Rangers have been given security responsibilities under Article 245 of the Constitution and the Anti-Terrorism Act, of 1997. Their deployment aims to prevent any security threats during the New Zealand and South Africa team's visit.
The New Zealand cricket team will land in Lahore on February 5, and South Africa's team will reach on February 7. Pakistan and New Zealand will kick off the series with the first match at Gaddafi Stadium on February 8. The second match of the series is between South Africa and New Zealand at the same venue on February 10.
Pakistan ODI Tri-Series Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | GMT Time | Local Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 08 | Pakistan vs New Zealand | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 09:00 AM GMT | 02:00 PM LOCAL |
| Feb 10 | New Zealand vs South Africa | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 04:30 AM GMT | 09:30 AM LOCAL |
| Feb 12 | Pakistan vs South Africa | National Stadium, Karachi | 09:00 AM GMT | 02:00 PM LOCAL |
| Feb 14 | TBC vs TBC, Final | National Stadium, Karachi | 09:00 AM GMT | 02:00 PM LOCAL |
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