(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Security Concerns Mar Opening of Tri‑Nation T20 Series in Sharjah
The opening match of the Tri‑Nation T20 Series between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Sharjah faced security concerns as reports emerged of fans allegedly entering the stadium without tickets.
Local media and eyewitnesses stated that a dedicated spectator gate was reportedly broken as ticketless supporters gained entry into the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Organizers had prepared for potential issues, especially during Pakistan-Afghanistan matches, by assigning separate enclosures, entry points, and color-coded tickets—green for Pakistani fans and blue for Afghan supporters. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan had also appealed to fans to maintain decorum.
Despite these precautions, the reported breach occurred before the match began, raising questions about crowd management at high-profile fixtures.
On the field, Pakistan responded with a strong performance, defeating Afghanistan by 39 runs to start the series on a winning note.
The Tri‑Nation Series continues with Pakistan set to face hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the tournament’s second match, while both Pakistan and Afghanistan could meet again in a potential final.
