International cricket has long been a target of terrorist threats, with the latest warning from the Pakistan Intelligence Bureau highlighting the dangers faced by players, officials, and fans. On February 24, 2025, Pakistan intel issued an alert regarding a potential threat from the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), which reportedly plans to kidnap foreign attendees of the Champions Trophy 2025 for ransom. This revelation adds to a growing timeline of security concerns that have plagued cricket for nearly four decades.
A History of Cricket and Terrorism
This threat issued to the Champions Trophy tournament has not happened for the time. Over the years, international cricket has faced numerous security scares and direct attacks, leading to disruptions, cancellations, and in some cases, tragic loss of life.
Below is a timeline of major incidents where cricket has been targeted by terrorism:
1. ISIS-K Threatens India-Pakistan T20 World Cup Match
A top police official warned of a potential “Lone Wolf” attack by ISIS-K during the India-Pakistan World Cup match in June 2024. The threat was reportedly circulated in a viral video urging an individual attack.
2. England Cancels Pakistan Tour Over Security Concerns
In September 2021, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) withdrew from its scheduled men’s and women’s tour of Pakistan due to security concerns.
3. New Zealand Abandons Pakistan Tour
Once again, in the same month and year, New Zealand Cricket abruptly abandoned its tour of Pakistan minutes before the first match began in Rawalpindi, citing a security alert.
4. Christchurch Mosque Shooting Postpones Test Match
A year ago in March, the third Test match between New Zealand and Bangladesh was postponed after a terrorist attack on mosques in Christchurch. Shockingly, the Bangladeshi team narrowly escaped harm.
5. Attack on Sri Lankan Cricket Team in Lahore
On March 3, 2009, one of the deadliest attacks on international cricket occurred when 14 masked gunmen ambushed the Sri Lankan team in Lahore, killing six policemen and injuring several players. The attackers used AK-47s, grenades, and rocket launchers.
6. Mumbai Terror Attacks Disrupt England’s Tour
The England cricket team left India after the Mumbai attacks, which killed around 170 people on November 26, 2008. The team had been scheduled to stay at the Taj Hotel, one of the targets of the attack.
7. Lahore Twin Bombings Lead to Australia’s Tour Postponement
In the same year, on March 11, twin suicide bombings in Lahore killed 31 people and injured over 200, prompting the Australian cricket team to postpone its Pakistan tour.
8. Karachi Bombing Cancels Pakistan-New Zealand Test
In May 2002, a suicide bombing in Karachi led to the cancellation of the second Test match between Pakistan and New Zealand, leading to the killing of eleven French engineers in the blast.
9. Colombo Airport Bombing During New Zealand Tour
On July 24, 2001, a Tamil Tiger suicide attack at Colombo’s airport left 14 people dead. Despite this, the New Zealand team played a match the next day, however, under heavy security.
10. Colombo Central Bank Bombing Affects 1996 World Cup
Australia and the West Indies refused to play in Sri Lanka after a bombing killed 91 people and injured 1,400 in Colombo.
11. Suicide Attack Near New Zealand Team’s Hotel
A Tamil Tiger suicide bomber killed four people outside the New Zealand team’s hotel on November 16, 1992, prompting some players to return home immediately.
12. Bombing in Colombo During New Zealand’s Tour
Over 100 people were killed in a vehicle bombing on April 21, 1987, while the New Zealand team was touring Sri Lanka, forcing them to shorten their series.
The persistent targeting of cricket by terrorist organizations raises questions about the sport’s safety in high-risk regions. While national boards and security agencies implement strict measures to ensure player safety, the growing sophistication of terrorist networks continues to pose a formidable challenge.
The Champions Trophy 2025 is yet another reminder that while cricket unites nations, it is not immune to global conflicts.
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