Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan has raised concerns over the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to take place in Pakistan next year. Moin Khan questioned the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the delay in announcing venues and the schedule, adding that fans are eager for details.
The upcoming marquee tournament was scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. India reportedly wants to play the event in a hybrid model with its matches at a neutral venue.
Champions Trophy Tour Set To Start in Pakistan On November 16
This has created a rift between the two cricketing nations. The Pakistan Cricket Board is not willing to host the tournament in a hybrid model like the Asia Cup 2023. Sri Lanka hosted India’s matches, including the final, in the Asia Cup last year. The PCB has reportedly written to the ICC for further clarification.
Despite the ongoing standoff, the Champions Trophy trophy tour is set to start in Pakistan on November 16, with the first stop in Skardu, located in northern Pakistan. A PCB official confirmed that the tour will visit major cities where the Champions Trophy matches are scheduled to be held.
“The tour will cover major Pakistani cities where the Champions Trophy matches are set to be played,” the official said.
Get ready, Pakistan!
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour kicks off in Islamabad on 16 November, also visiting scenic travel destinations like Skardu, Murree, Hunza and Muzaffarabad. Catch a glimpse of the trophy which Sarfaraz Ahmed lifted in 2017 at The Oval, from 16-24… pic.twitter.com/SmsV5uyzlL
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 14, 2024
Having A Trophy Tour Without The Schedule – Moin Khan
Moin Khan questioned the purpose of the tour when the venues and schedule are still unknown, and there is no clarity on whether Pakistan and India will face each other in the tournament. Khan described it as strange to have a trophy tour without the schedule being announced.
“What is the purpose of this trophy tour when no one really knows at which venues the tournament will be held and whether Pakistan and India will play against each other in the event?,” Khan said.
“Strange having a trophy tour without the schedule being announced,” the former Pakistan keeper-batter added.
The PCB had selected Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi as the venues for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The unveiling of the trophy was scheduled to take place in Lahore earlier this month, but the ceremony was delayed. The trophy was brought to Islamabad from Dubai on Thursday by ICC officials.
There In No Back Channel With India – Pakistan’s Foreign Office
In a related development, Pakistan’s Foreign Office has clarified that there is no backchannel diplomacy with India. This statement comes after India refused to send its team to Pakistan for the ICC tournament.
“There is no back channel with India to specifically discuss the Champions Trophy and bilateral Cricket between Pakistan and India,” said Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, spokesperson of the Foreign Office [as quoted by news agency PTI].
“Pakistan has always said that sports should not be politicized,” she added.
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