Pakistan Win Toss, Elect to Bowl First Against Zimbabwe

News Desk 

Rawalpindi:  Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bowl first against Zimbabwe in the opening match of the tri-nation T20 series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza said his team was eager to kick off the tournament despite joining late, noting that the pitch appeared slower than usual. 

Salman Ali Agha agreed with the assessment, adding that the surface did not resemble a typical Rawalpindi track. He said Pakistan opted to bowl first to avoid the expected dew later in the evening.

The match marks the beginning of the tri-series, featuring Pakistan, Zimbabwe, and a third participating side.

ITP Issues Traffic Plan for Tri-Nations Series

The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) on Tuesday issued a traffic advisory for the ongoing Tri-Nations Cricket Series, as team movements between Islamabad and the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium are expected to affect major routes.

An ITP official said diversions will be placed on Srinagar Highway, Club Road, and 9th Avenue during team movement, particularly during peak hours. Traffic on these roads may experience temporary slowdowns due to security protocols.

Motorists have been advised to plan their travel with an additional 15–20 minutes to avoid delays. The ITP said it is working to minimize inconvenience to commuters and will continue to issue real-time updates via Islamabad Police’s social media channels and FM 92.4.

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Citizens have been urged to cooperate with traffic personnel, follow lane discipline, and remain patient during temporary closures. For emergencies, residents may contact Pukar-15, while traffic-related assistance is available on the ITP helpline 1915.

Rawalpindi Police maintains strict security measures for Tri-Series opener

The Rawalpindi Police on Tuesday maintained strict security measures for the opening T20 fixture of the Pakistan–Zimbabwe Sri Lanka Tri-Series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, acting on the directives of City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani.

Pakistan and Zimbabwe were scheduled to face each other in the opener.

According to a police spokesperson, more than 5,500 personnel were deployed to secure the venue and surrounding areas. CPO Hamdani said over 350 traffic officers were on duty to ensure smooth traffic flow, while senior officers were supervising, briefing and inspecting the deployed teams.

Rooftop snipers were stationed for overwatch, while CCTV monitoring was carried out from a dedicated control room established for the series. Police station mobiles, Elite Force units and Dolphin Squad teams also continued regular patrols around the stadium and key routes.

CPO Hamdani reaffirmed that the Rawalpindi Police were committed to ensuring fool-proof security and orderly conduct throughout the tri-series.