The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sparked controversy by announcing the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 tour schedule in the disputed region of PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir). However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected the PCB’s request to include the PoK region in the Champions Trophy tour.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been pushing for a hybrid model for the marquee tournament, citing concerns about Pakistan’s political instability and security risks. After BCCI refused to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan, the ICC postponed the announcement of the event schedule.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Trophy Tour Begins in Islamabad
The International Cricket Council is yet to announce the schedule for the ICC 50-plus event. The Pakistan Cricket Board had shortlisted Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi as the venues for the event. However, PCB is all set to start its Trophy cup tour in Islamabad on Saturday, November 16.
The trophy was scheduled to open in Lahore earlier this month but was postponed due to India’s refusal to tour Pakistan. The tour was scheduled to stop at Murree, Hunza, Muzaffarabad and Skardu and end on November 24. There are also plans to take the trophy to the summit of K2 in Pakistan.
“Get ready, Pakistan! The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour kicks off on November 16 in Islamabad and also visits scenic destinations like Skardu, Murree, Hunza and Muzaffarabad. Take a look at Sarfaraz Ahmed lifting the trophy at The Oval in 2017. , Between November 16 and 24,” PCB announced in a post on its social media platform X.
ICC rejects PCB’s request to take ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to disputed PoK
Sports journalist Vikrant Gupta has confirmed that the ICC has rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board’s request to include the disputed territory of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the Trophy tour.
Vikrant Gupta posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) “Breaking now: ICC refuses to take PCB on Champions Trophy tour in any of disputed POK (Pakistani occupied Kashmir)”.
BREAKING NOW: ICC refuses to take PCB on Champions Trophy tour to disputed POK (Pakistani Occupied Kashmir) one. #ChampionsTrophy2025 https://t.co/7cGe1EBSbT
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) November 15, 2024
India Will Not Travel To Pakistan For ICC Event Next Year
India has decided not to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC event citing security concerns. The International Cricket Council has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board in writing about India’s position. PCB has consulted the government of Pakistan to present its position on the issue.
The PCB is adamant on hosting India as the Pakistan team visits the neighboring country for the 2023 ODI World Cup. The event may be considered for a hybrid model. However, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has announced that there are no official discussions regarding this approach yet.
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