Karachi prepares for PSL final with full-dress rehearsal

Security consultants to observe full-dress rehearsal on Sunday to formulate report

KARACHI: A full-dress rehearsal of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) third edition’s final will be held in Karachi on Sunday for which international security consultant arrived in Karachi on Saturday.

Sindh police, Pakistan Rangers, Airport Security Force (ASF) and all other security agencies of Pakistan will present a demonstration of the security arrangements with other stakeholders of the PSL final also present.

One of the international security consultants, Craig Dotson, arrived in Karachi to analyse the security arrangements in the city.

Datson will witness the full dress rehearsal to be held in National Stadium of Karachi (NSK) on February 11, after which he will submit a report to the Federation of International Cricketers’ Association (FICA).

“I will be having a meeting with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials today here in Karachi and then will be visiting the stadium too,” said Dotson while talking to media. “I will also be present at the full dress rehearsal and will be making a report.”

Talking about his visit, he further added: “I am not sure for how many days I am here. I will know that after the meeting with the PCB officials.”

Meanwhile, DIG East Sultan Khawaja said that the security officials have been in coordination for Sunday’s full-dress rehearsal and a meeting was also hosted by the Chief Minister Sindh with all the high officials of Law Enforcement Agencies.

“We have been in coordination with them since November,” said Khawaja. “The security consultants gave us suggestions when they last visited in November and we have been following them. We had presented a comprehensive presentation to them then. Chief Minister also held a meeting with the top security officials of Rangers, Police and ASF on Friday and all coordination has been done.”

Khawaja added that the plan was explained to the consultants on Saturday and a practical demonstration will be held on Sunday. “On Sunday, we will cover the theoretical part, while on Saturday we will do the practically show the consultants how everything will happen.”

Khawaja then revealed the highlights of the security plan which will be put in place on March 25 for the final. “On March 25, we will be deploying around 8,000 policemen who will have 300 to 400 police mobiles and 300 to 400 police motorbikes at their disposal. Pakistan Rangers and other security agencies of Pakistan will also be a part of the security detail for the players,” he said.

He continued: “The rehearsal on Sunday will be a four to six hour affair where all aspects of the security will be demonstrated to the security consultant, and if he has any concerns we will note them.”

He then requested the citizens of Karachi to cooperate during the practice on Sunday.

“We have to prove to everyone that the people of Karachi are peace loving and law-abiding citizens who deserve to witness cricket matches,” said Khawaja, adding that Karachiites will be told about alternate traffic routes through Sindh Police’s radio station.