Gunshots fired in Multan as England and Pakistan prepare for second Test

[MenInG]

Gunshots were fired in Multan on Thursday where England are preparing for the second Test against Pakistan, the PA news agency understands.

Gunfire was heard around 1km away from where the England and Pakistan teams are staying in Multan.

The gunshots are said to have been between rival gangs, with the Pakistan police making four arrests.

England’s preparations for the second Test have not been affected.

Security has been very tight throughout the series so far and has been stepped up in Multan, where the second Test is scheduled to start on Friday.

All roads have been shut for the teams travelling to and from the ground with police escorts provided.

Police escorts have also been insisted upon for journalists and any westerners in the city.

Only a select few hotels in Multan accept foreigners and they are not free to explore the city, only being allowed out of their respective hotels with a police escort.

While journalists and members of various English cricket tour groups were free to explore Rawalpindi, which staged the first match of the three-Test series, there are restrictions in place this week in Multan, with only organised and approved tours permitted.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/gu...iz71EhF8UKkcXHgF45OYGGhOhXRd_r7qTt8hKbE1qFRQ5

 

[MenInG]

Thankfully nothing serious, some local gang fight.

 

[Double Trouble]

Same as UK crime shots fired in London, Manchester or Leeds.

Inshaallah both cricket teams are safe.

 

[Saj]

A bit surprised that more wasn't made of this.

In the past the ECB would have been making noises about sending their team home.

 

[hamzie]

Full security at all times
Not allowed to explore
Need to shut off roads for players

How does any of this suggest cricket is safe to return to Pakistan

 

[Savak]

Full security at all times
Not allowed to explore
Need to shut off roads for players

How does any of this suggest cricket is safe to return to Pakistan

Because life must go on.

 

[Zeshan547]

Full security at all times
Not allowed to explore
Need to shut off roads for players

How does any of this suggest cricket is safe to return to Pakistan

No winning from whiners like you, situation will never be 100% secure and it isn't in even Patagon or London, so ever heard of better be safe than sorry. So it's all for worst case scenario, and actually this level security is just to give extra confidence to tourists.

 

[Cricket-lion]

Full security at all times
Not allowed to explore
Need to shut off roads for players

How does any of this suggest cricket is safe to return to Pakistan

This is said to be gang violence, many people have guns in Pakistan.

Besides, this is same Pakistan that rescued ECB when it was in financial turmoil and no one wanted to visit England due to corona. Those brown players also have value to their life.

 

[PakLFC]

Doesn't mean the English players were targeted. Pak is safe for common people but not for touring cricket teams. For many years to come foreign cricketers need presidential security because terrorists will target them to damage the image of Pakistan.

 

[moghul]

This is said to be gang violence, many people have guns in Pakistan.

Besides, this is same Pakistan that rescued ECB when it was in financial turmoil and no one wanted to visit England due to corona. Those brown players also have value to their life.

Americanization of Pakistan at full swing.

 

[James]

Dangerous and potentially deadly incidents happen in every country. The context here is the fairly recent history, which can create some jitters.

But the truth is that this story passed under the radar a little bit yesterday, not even being reported at all by a number of major outlets (whom possibly weren’t able to verify the news) and for me that also says a lot about how the ECB’s mentality has shifted towards now showing solidarity.

The level of security for the England team and other related visitors is Presidential standard, and the hosts in Pakistan are treating their guests superbly.

Ultimately, the tourists feel safe.

 

[hamzie]

No winning from whiners like you, situation will never be 100% secure and it isn't in even Patagon or London, so ever heard of better be safe than sorry. So it's all for worst case scenario, and actually this level security is just to give extra confidence to tourists.

Thats why Moeen Ali said it was so exhausting to come because you feel like you're in covid lockdown

Safe to tour would be when teams come here to aus or England and they can actually roam the cities without any issues

The fact that you need presidential security shows the risk of threat is quite high and that doesn't suggest cricket is safe to return

 

[mudassir84]

Finishing tour without any incident is the priority, players enjoyment is least of the concerns. Targeting foreign players might be on agenda of enemy countries to push back revival of Pakistan.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

US has far more gun deaths than Pakistan thus on daily basis, adjusting for population. This is a non-issue

 

[Major]

Their is a security threat officially, which is why you cant get bookings of hotel in Multan for foreigners

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Thats why Moeen Ali said it was so exhausting to come because you feel like you're in covid lockdown

Safe to tour would be when teams come here to aus or England and they can actually roam the cities without any issues

The fact that you need presidential security shows the risk of threat is quite high and that doesn't suggest cricket is safe to return

Moeen is a serial whiner. He usually whines about his captain or the team tactics but since he himself was the captain he had to find something else to moan about.

He was also quite happy to stay in the IPL while players were travelling whilst wearing hazmat suits, so I am inclined to take anything he says with a pinch of salt.

Presidential security is just the first step to restoring normality and is a small price to pay to help the restoration of cricket. It will ease in the futute.

 

[volcyz]

Moeen is a serial whiner. He usually whines about his captain or the team tactics but since he himself was the captain he had to find something else to moan about.

He was also quite happy to stay in the IPL while players were travelling whilst wearing hazmat suits, so I am inclined to take anything he says with a pinch of salt.

Presidential security is just the first step to restoring normality and is a small price to pay to help the restoration of cricket. It will ease in the futute.

Couldn’t agree more

So sick of the constant victim mentality pinged by Moeen at every opportunity.

Usually another day and another constant whine from Moeen Ali about thsi or that, which frankly is a joke.

 

[emranabbas]

I think just an over reaction shouldn't have even made the news there's knife crime every other day in London nothing is made out of it
presidential security etc is just going over the top

 

[emranabbas]

Full security at all times
Not allowed to explore
Need to shut off roads for players

How does any of this suggest cricket is safe to return to Pakistan

I think that's just being cautious not because the cricket isn't safe in pakistan

It was only gunshots which is normal in pakistan

Next bro if you hear some ladies quarreling in gali mohallah your going to say pakistan isn't safe for foreigners

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Thats why Moeen Ali said it was so exhausting to come because you feel like you're in covid lockdown

Safe to tour would be when teams come here to aus or England and they can actually roam the cities without any issues

The fact that you need presidential security shows the risk of threat is quite high and that doesn't suggest cricket is safe to return

England are in living accomodation similar to footballers at world cup in 6* hotel

 

[hamzie]

England are in living accomodation similar to footballers at world cup in 6* hotel

would you want to be stuck in a hotel and not have the freedom to go out regardless of how good the hotel is

 

[Cricket-lion]

would you want to be stuck in a hotel and not have the freedom to go out regardless of how good the hotel is

Its a double edge sword, boards want top level security. Players can not moan later, better they speak to their board. End of the day, safety is the most important.