Rawalpindi police strengthen security for Pakistan cricket team training ahead of West Indies tour

Rawalpindi police, under the directives of City Police Officer Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera, have implemented comprehensive security and traffic arrangements for Pakistan‘s cricket team’s pre-series training camp at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The security measures are in place ahead of the team’s upcoming tour of the West Indies, which commences with a warm-up match on July 18 followed by the Test series beginning July 25, 2026.

Pakistan will tour the West Indies from July 15 to August 7, 2026, for a two-match ICC World Test Championship series in Trinidad. A four-day warm-up match will be played between West Indies Select XI and Pakistan starting on July 18, 2026, at Brian Lara Stadium, Trinidad, Tarouba.

The tour will include a four-day warm-up match and two Tests, all hosted in Trinidad, with the four-day warm-up staged at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, which will also host the second Test of the series. The enhanced security measures being put in place at Rawalpindi reflect the importance of ensuring smooth preparation for the squad.

A police spokesperson said in a statement quoted by Dawn that Rawalpindi Police deployed officers to perform security duties during the practice sessions, while traffic officers were assigned to ensure smooth traffic flow around the stadium and adjoining areas. Senior police officers remained present in the field to inspect and brief security personnel, with rooftop snipers also deployed as part of the comprehensive security plan.

What arrangements are in place for stadium security?

Monitoring is being carried out through Safe City and other CCTV cameras, with a separate control room established for surveillance purposes. CPO Sukhera reviewed key policing matters and directed officers to ensure timely provision of justice and high-quality public service, while stressing that negligence in professional duties would not be tolerated.

The comprehensive security setup underscores Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining a safe environment for cricketers during their final preparations. Pakistan’s Test squad, under the captaincy of Babar Azam following recent changes to the leadership structure, will benefit from these arrangements as they gear up for their first red-ball assignment in the Caribbean since 2021.