The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sparked controversy by announcing the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 tour plan in disputed PoK (Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir). However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected the PCB’s request to include the PoK region in the Champions Trophy tour.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is pushing for a hybrid model for the marquee tournament, citing concerns over Pakistan’s political instability and security risks. Following BCCI’s refusal to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan, the ICC postponed the event schedule unveiling.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Trophy Tour Kicks Off In Islamabad
The International Cricket Council has not yet announced the schedule for the ICC 50-over event. The Pakistan Cricket Board had shortlisted Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi as venues for the event. However, the PCB is set to start the Trophy trophy tour in Islamabad on Saturday, November 16.
The trophy unveiling was planned for Lahore earlier this month but was postponed due to India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan. The tour was planned to stop at Murree, Hunza, Muzaffarabad, and Skardu, concluding on November 24. There are also plans to take the trophy to the peak of K2 in Pakistan.
“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 November,” the PCB announced in a post on social media platform X.
ICC Rejects PCB’s Request to Take ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to Disputed PoK
Sports journalist Vikrant Gupta confirmed that the ICC has rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board’s request to include any disputed areas of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir in the Trophy tour.
“BREAKING NOW: ICC Has refused PCB to take the Champions Trophy tour to any of the disputed POK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir),” Vikrant Gupta wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
BREAKING NOW: ICC Has refused PCB to take the Champions Trophy tour to any of the disputed POK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) #ChampionsTrophy2025
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) November 15, 2024
India Unlikely to 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 stance. The PCB has consulted with the Pakistani government to present its position on the matter.
The PCB insists on hosting India, as the Pakistan team visited the neighboring nation for the 2023 ODI World Cup. The event may be considered for a hybrid model. However, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi clarified that there have been no official discussions about this approach yet regarding the decision.
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