Pakistan Cricket Board beefs up floor safety after pitch invasion in Rawalpindi

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has mentioned that it’s engaged on reinforcing the safety in any respect the venues of the continuing Champions Trophy 2025 after a fan invaded the pitch in Rawapindi. A fan breached the safety throughout Match 6 of the match between New Zealand and Bangladesh on the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium as he got here operating onto the sphere to hug Rachin Ravindra.

The fan went up near the New Zealand batter and hugged him earlier than the safety personnel got here onto the pitch and took him away. Following the incident, the PCB harassed upon making certain the security of gamers and match officers and said that it has determined to bolster their safety across the area of play in any respect venues.

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“The PCB has taken critical notice of the safety breach that occurred yesterday when a spectator entered the sphere of play. Guaranteeing the security of gamers and officers stays our prime precedence. As a accountable organisation, now we have engaged with native safety businesses, who’ve dedicated to growing safety personnel across the area of play in any respect venues and strengthening entry management measures,” mentioned the PCB in a media launch.

Moreover, the PCB additionally revealed that the fan who invaded the pitch was arrested and offered earlier than a courtroom, and has been banned from coming into any cricket venues in Pakistan.

“The person concerned was arrested and offered earlier than a courtroom of regulation at present (Tuesday). As well as, he has been completely banned from coming into all cricket venues in Pakistan. To stop such incidents sooner or later, the PCB is working carefully with safety businesses and venue authorities to evaluation and reinforce safety protocols,” they added.

India, New Zealand qualify for semi finals

It was the primary such incident of a safety breach through the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025. In the meantime, the match has confirmed its first two semi-finalists following New Zealand’s medical five-wicket win over Bangladesh courtesy of a match-winning century by Rachin Ravindra. Following their win, New Zealand for the semi-final from Group A together with India, who’ve additionally received each of their matches thus far.

Alternatively, the Group B remains to be broad open following a washout between Australia and South Africa. The deserted recreation put all of the groups in a do-or-die scenario, the place one loss will knock them out of the match. England and Afghanistan are set to lock horns subsequent in Group B on February 26 in Lahore in a digital knockout fixture.