Tight security for Windies in Pak

Karachi: The Karachi police have chalked out a security plan for the scheduled three Twenty20s and three One-day internationals between Pakistan and West Indies starting at the National Stadium in Karachi on December 13, The News reported.

The plan was devised in a meeting presided over by Additional Inspector General Imran Yaqoob Minhas at the Sindh Boys Scouts Auditorium on Thursday. DIG Security and Emergency Services Division Maqsood Ahmed gave a briefing on the strict security measures taken for the tour.

A total of 46 DSPs, including 13 senior officers of the Karachi police, 315 NGOs, 3,822 constables and head constables, 50 women police personnel, 500 personnel of the Rapid Response Force and 889 commandos of the Special Security Unit would perform security duties along with the Karachi traffic police during the matches at National Stadium, routes, practice grounds, parking areas, hotels and other areas, the report said.

Personnel of the Special Branch in plain clothes would be deployed at the National Stadium and hotels. A Special Weapons and Tactics team would be on standby to respond to emergencies.

The West Indies cricket team will play a T20 and ODI series in Pakistan. The first of the T20 matches between Pakistan and the West Indies will be played on December 13 at the National Stadium Karachi.

Back in September, Cricket West Indies (CWI) Chief Executive Officer Johnny Grave said that the cricket body is planning to fulfil its tour commitments with all countries, including Pakistan.

We intend to fulfil the responsibilities of tours, he had reiterated. However, the CEO had added that the board will follow standard procedures.

In his absence of Pollard due to injury, Nicholas Pooran will be T20I captain and Shai Hope will be ODI captain. Pollard has been replaced by allrounder Rovman Powell for the T20Is and wicketkeeper-batter Devon Thomas for the ODIs.

This will be the first time Hope will be ODI captain and has a challenge ahead. The three ODIs are part of the World Cup Super League, where West Indies are eighth on the points table with four wins in nine ODIs. However, a 3-0 sweep will lift West Indies to third.