After threats being received by the family of an Australian cricketer, who is currently in Pakistan for the upcoming Test series, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday said that there are “extensive security plans in place for this type of social media activity.”
Earlier on Monday, a person had reportedly sent threats to the family of an Australian cricketer. He had also warned them of “dire consequences” if the player continues hi Pakistan tour.
Later, the PCB issues a statement and said: “Cricket Australia is aware of a social media post, of which the nature and content have been investigated by the PCB, Cricket Australia, and combined government security agencies.”
“There are extensive security plans in place for this type of social media activity, which — in this case — is not considered a risk. No further comment will be made at this time,” the statement read.
As per reports, the aussie cricketer’s family member was sent threatening messages via a fake Instagram account.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani media claimed that Australia has expressed satisfaction over the foolproof security arrangements made by the PCB for the tour.
Notably, iti s after a long gap of 24 years when the Australian side is touring Pakistan as the PCB is trying its best to revive international cricket and host foreign teams in its soil.
The upcoming Test series beween touring Australia and hosts Pakistan will be played as part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), while the ODIs will be connected to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League – a 13-team event from which the seven highest-placed sides and the hosts, India, will qualify directly for the event proper in 2023.
Significantly, Australia had last toured Pakistan in 1998-99 when Mark Taylor led the visitors to a 1-0 series victory.
Earlier in February, PCB and Cricket Australia had announced a revised itinerary for the upcoming Australia men’s cricket team’s tour of Pakistan during the current calendar year.
The tour, which will be Australia’s first in 24 years, was announced to start and end in Rawalpindi with the opening Test to be played from March 4-8 and the four white-ball matches to be played from March 29 to April 5
The change in the first Test venue means that the second Test will be played in Karachi from 12-16 March and the third in Lahore from 21-25 March.
PCB had said that the schedule was revised to ease logistical and operational challenges as well as to avoid Pakistan Day rehearsals, which usually commence in Islamabad in the second week of March.
Schedule of Australia tour of Pakistan:
1st Test – Mar 04 – Mar 08 -Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
2nd Test – Mar 12 – Mar 16 – National Stadium, Karachi
3rd Test – Mar 21 – Mar 25 – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
1st ODI – Mar 29 – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
2nd ODI – Mar 31 – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
3rd ODI – Apr 02 – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Only T20I – Apr 05 – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi