As Pakistan hosts its first major sporting event in 29 years, security has been beefed up considerably to ease fears of rival nations competing in the ICC Champions Trophy.

The hosts lost the ODI tournament opener to New Zealand in Karachi, and the level of security at the ground was nothing short of incredible.

And as Australia prepares to take on England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore this Saturday, it will be more of the same.

According to the Hindustan Times, nine chartered flights have been booked for the participating nations to help with swift travel, as well as Punjab Police deploying over 12,000 officers and personnel during matches across Lahore and Rawalpindi. 

The flights – via Pakistan International Airlines – will operate between Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore across the staging of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Aussie cricket legend Ricky Ponting has called for captain Steve Smith to open the batting alongside Travis Head against England.

As Pakistan hosts its first major sporting event in 29 years, security has been beefed up to ease fears of rival nations competing in the ICC Champions Trophy (pictured, Aussie skipper Steve Smith)

Punjab Police have deployed over 12,000 officers (pictured) and personnel during matches across the tournament

Pakistan last hosted a major sporting event in 1996 – The ODI World Cup – (pictured, Pakistan’s para-military soldiers stand guard at the National Stadium in Karachi)

Security is tight at the ICC Champions Trophy (pictured, Pakistan’s police commandos on patrol)

The tournament runs until March 9 (pictured, Pakistan’s police on duty)

Meanwhile, Aussie cricket legend Ricky Ponting has called for captain Steve Smith to open the batting alongside Travis Head, with doubts over the temperament of Jake Fraser-McGurk

Smith has never opened in 151 ODI innings – but has often showcased his class in the role during domestic T20 cricket.

He notably smashed an unbeaten 121 off 64 balls for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League earlier this year at the SCG. 

‘Smith could be someone that could anchor this Champions Trophy at the top of the order,’ Ponting said.

‘And you know that with the form he’s in, he’s going to make big runs.’

It comes as doubts remain over the temperament of young gun Jake Fraser-McGurk.

‘He’s making it harder and harder (for selectors to persist with him),’ Ponting said.

‘There’s just so much talent there, but we haven’t seen it consistently yet.’

Australia will field a new look XI in Pakistan across the ICC Champions Trophy tournament, with pace trio Pat Cummins (ankle), Mitchell Starc (personal reasons) and Josh Hazlewood (calf) all unavailable.

Pace-bowling all-rounders Mitch Marsh and Marcus Stoinis also won’t feature, with the latter retiring earlier this month, while Cameron Green is still injured.

Left-arm quick Spencer Johnson looms as Starc’s replacement, with Nathan Ellis and Ben Dwarshuis other white ball options from the 15-man squad.