Inadequate security measures at Quaid e Azam trophy anger cricketers

KARACHI: Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, is being played at different venues with several top players from the country in action for different teams.

However, it seems, security at these matches is not among the priority which has left players angry with the board and local administration.

Geo.tv has received videos from Jinnah Stadium Sialkot where Pakistan cricketers Umar Gul and Ahmad Shahzad were seen getting angry at fans.

Upon investigation, one player informed that cricketers were harassed by the fans at the venue and there was no security.

“Some fans were pushing us, some were pulling our shirts, one player was literally punched in the back by someone,” said a player on condition of anonymity.

“Fans didn’t let us move towards our bus, we were literally squeezed,” the player added.

Another video footage received by Geo.tv showed how players had to struggle to move towards their vehicle at the end of the match.

The sources, meanwhile, told Geo.tv that PCB has also taken a note of the incident at Jinnah Stadium Sialkot and demanded a report from the regional association.

“The security was the responsibility of local regional association and the PCB had inquired from them on the matter,” said a source.

“The RCA of Sialkot informed the PCB that despite repeated requests, the local administration of the city didn’t provide security at the stadium,” the source added.