KARACHI, Sept 26: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is to provide international-level security for a leading domestic tournament for the first time.

The national Twenty20 Cup begins next week with all the top players available following the postponement of international events in Pakistan because of security concerns.

“We have held a meeting with the police officials and there will be heavy contingents of police deployed at all entry and exit points,” Colonel Zulfiqar Ahmed, the PCB’s General Manager for security, told reporters on Friday. “Spectators will have to pass through metal detectors.”

He added that the measures were being taken because the current security situation in the country could not be ignored.

Australia’s planned Test tour of Pakistan and this year’s ICC Champions Trophy were postponed due to security concerns.—Reuters