Ahead of the Champions Trophy, the International Cricket Council made last-minute adjustments to their trophy trip. Following the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s objection to the trophy being paraded in Muzaffarabad, Skardu, and the Hunza Calley, the ICC announced an updated itinerary for the trophy trip.
According to credible sources cited by India Today, Jay Shah, the honorary secretary of the BCCI and the ICC’s future head, objected to several trophy tour locations that are located in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy ‘Global Trophy Tour’ was revealed by the ICC on Saturday. According to the ICC, the tour will begin in Islamabad. On the first day of its tour in Islamabad, the trophy will be shown at the Pakistan Monument, Daman-e-Koh, and the Faisal Mosque. Pakistan cricket legend Shoaib Akhtar will accompany the trophy.
Important dates for the Trophy Tour
- 16 November – Islamabad, Pakistan
- 17 November – Taxila and Khanpur, Pakistan
- 18 November – Abbottabad, Pakistan
- 19 November- Murree, Pakistan
- 20 November- Nathia Gali, Pakistan
- 22 – 25 November – Karachi, Pakistan
- 26 – 28 November – Afghanistan
- 10 – 13 December – Bangladesh
- 15 – 22 December – South Africa
- 25 December – 5 January – Australia
- 6 – 11 January – New Zealand
- 12 – 14 January – England
- 15 – 26 January – India
- 27 January – event start – Pakistan
Limbo’s Champions Trophy
A heated dispute between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) casts doubt on the tournament’s profitability and location, putting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in jeopardy. The BCCI is adamant that India will not visit Pakistan because of long-standing security and political concerns, while Pakistan, which was granted hosting rights for the prestigious event, is adamant about playing matches inside its borders.
The PCB acknowledged receiving an email from the ICC on Sunday, November 10, informing them that India had formally declined to play in Pakistan. India and Pakistan have avoided bilateral series for more than ten years and only play each other in ICC competitions. Their cricketing ties have been tense since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The PCB has stated unequivocally that Pakistan will not embrace a “hybrid” approach, such as the one that was employed in the 2023 Asia Cup, in which matches were divided between Pakistan and a neutral location. India’s stance has been reaffirmed by the BCCI, which has emphasized that the squad will not visit Pakistan due to security concerns.
Shah’s Statement
Shah has also urged the ICC to take serious measures against PCB, according to news agency PTI. According to a senior BCCI official with knowledge of the situation, “the BCCI secretary, after it came to his notice. Called up the ICC and was extremely critical of PCB’s move to conduct a Trophy tour of multiple cities which fall under Pakistan Occupied Kashmir,” PTI reported.
He has called on the ICC to act decisively. There is no problem in Islamabad, but a trophy tour to POK is not possible,” the insider continued.
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