An England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) delegation has begun reviewing security and operational arrangements in Pakistan ahead of England’s participation in an ODI tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka next month, according to a report by Geo News.
The visit is part of a routine assessment ahead of the tournament, which will run from October 18 to 31 across Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. The delegation is examining preparations in both host cities and meeting security authorities and local administration officials as part of the process.
ECB delegation reviews security plans
The five-member delegation includes ECB Director of International Operations Rob Hillman, ECB Director of Security Reg Dickason and England Players Cricket Association Chief Executive Officer Daryl Mitchell.
In Lahore, the delegation met Punjab Home Department officials and was briefed on a four-tier security plan covering the upcoming international matches. The discussions included arrangements for team movements between airports, hotels and stadiums, alongside parking and police deployment plans.
Senior representatives from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Lahore administration and law-enforcement agencies participated in the discussions. Officials from Rawalpindi joined remotely as preparations across both host cities were reviewed.
More than 14,000 security personnel are set to be deployed across the two cities. Lahore is scheduled to have 7,849 personnel assigned to security duties, with another 6,460 designated for Rawalpindi.
Safe Cities systems form part of preparations
The ECB delegation also visited the Punjab Safe Cities Authority headquarters alongside PCB officials, where it was briefed on surveillance and command-and-control arrangements for the series.
The security framework includes monitoring of team routes through CCTV cameras, while command-and-control rooms are planned at the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, Gaddafi Stadium and the DIG Operations Office. Preparations also cover airports, hotels, parking areas and other locations connected with team movements.
The delegation reviewed the use of modern cameras, AI-based video analytics and smart surveillance systems operating in Lahore and Rawalpindi. Officials indicated that security arrangements for matches in both cities had been completed, with law-enforcement agencies set to remain on alert during the series.
Following its Lahore assessment, the ECB team is scheduled to continue its inspection in Rawalpindi.
England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka set for October tri-series
England’s visit will form part of a wider international programme in Pakistan. Sri Lanka is scheduled to arrive on October 4 before playing Pakistan in three T20Is in Rawalpindi from October 9 to 13.
The ODI tri-series will then begin on October 18, when Pakistan face Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Pakistan will play England at the same venue on October 20, followed by England against Sri Lanka on October 22.
All three teams will subsequently move to Lahore. Pakistan face England at Gaddafi Stadium on October 25 and Sri Lanka on October 27, before England and Sri Lanka complete the league stage on October 29.
The top two teams will contest the tri-series final at Gaddafi Stadium on October 31, concluding England’s involvement in the seven-match ODI tournament.
