The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced plans to conduct a Champions Trophy tour across the country, sparking controversy by including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as one of the destinations.
This announcement comes amid ongoing tensions, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) firmly stating that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan due to strained relations and security concerns. Pakistan currently holds the hosting rights for the tournament.
“Get Ready, Pakistan: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Trophy Tour Begins”
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Thursday that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour will kick off in Islamabad on November 16, showcasing scenic destinations like Skardu, Murree, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad.
Why This Is Seen as a Provocation
The inclusion of Skardu, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad—regions in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which India claims as part of its territory—has drawn sharp attention. This announcement comes amid already strained relations between the two nations, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) firmly refusing to play in Pakistan due to political and security concerns.
The PCB, currently led by Mohsin Raza Naqvi, a federal minister, appears to be using this move to assert its stance. However, the BCCI’s decision has intensified a cold war that has unsettled the International Cricket Council (ICC).
ICC Caught in the Crossfire
Reports suggest that the ICC is exploring alternatives to ensure the tournament’s success despite India’s absence. Options on the table include a hybrid model where India’s matches are held in the UAE, a complete relocation of the event, or even an indefinite postponement.
While the PCB insists on moving forward with the tournament regardless of India’s participation, the ICC has yet to announce a final decision on the venue. This high-stakes dispute continues to fuel uncertainty around one of cricket’s marquee events.
The glittering ICC Champions Trophy has arrived in Islamabad from Dubai, but Pakistan’s decision to include PoK as part of its trophy tour appears to follow its familiar playbook. The country frequently uses PoK for political provocation, often inviting foreign dignitaries to the region—a move that has consistently drawn strong rebuttals from India.
Meanwhile, the ICC recently canceled a significant event marking the 100-day countdown to the Champions Trophy, originally scheduled for November 11 in Lahore. The decision reportedly stemmed from ongoing challenges in finalizing the tournament schedule, particularly concerning India’s participation.
India Will Not Travel to Pakistan
The ICC has formally informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) via email that India will not be traveling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. This confirmation solidifies earlier speculation, with India opting out of the neighboring nation due to longstanding political tensions and security concerns.
As the eight-team tournament hangs in uncertainty, the spotlight remains on the ICC to resolve the scheduling and venue disputes.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has received an email from the International Cricket Council (ICC), confirming that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed them of India’s decision not to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025,” PCB spokesman Sami Ul Hasan stated, as quoted by AFP.
The BCCI reportedly cited the Indian government’s denial of permission for the national team to visit Pakistan for the marquee event.
ICC Champions Trophy Controversy
Pakistan is set to host the eight-team tournament from February 19 to March 9, 2025, across three cities—Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. However, the event’s final schedule remains uncertain, as India’s confirmation of participation has not been forthcoming, leaving the ICC to navigate the resulting logistical and diplomatic challenges.
Since the ICC announced Pakistan as the host for the 2025 Champions Trophy, concerns have been raised about India’s participation due to the ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two neighboring nations. Despite these strained relations, Pakistan has previously traveled to India for the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup.
India and Pakistan have only competed in ICC multi-nation tournaments since their last bilateral series in the 2012-13 season. Meanwhile, Pakistan did not host any international cricket from 2009 to 2015 following the tragic attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team by gunmen 15 years ago.
Source: News18
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