The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in talks with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to increase security for the national team, currently in Birmingham to prepare for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, after a suicide bombing in Manchester, officials at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told DawnNews on Thursday.

Twenty-two, including children, were killed and more than 50 wounded in an explosion at the end of a concert by US singer Ariana Grande in the English city of Manchester on Monday.

"We are in touch with the ICC to increase Pakistan team's security after the Manchester blast," a PCB official told DawnNews.

Shadab Khan's fitness

The official also rubbished speculations about Shadab Khan's fitness, saying that the teenage leg-spinner is fit to take part in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.

"Shadab is fully fit and doing bowling, batting and fielding drills during practice" the official said.

The official also explained that fast bowler Muhammad Abbas has been added to the squad so that he gains exposure to conditions in England.

He added, however, that Abbas will be released from the squad on May 26.

The national team is set to play two matches in Birmingham on June 4 and 7 against India and South Africa, respectively.

A third match will be played against Sri Lanka in Cardiff on June 12.

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