The International Cricket Council (ICC) has called off the trophy tour for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Skardu, Murree, and Muzaffarabad, located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This decision followed objections from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) included these locations in the itinerary.
The PCB had initially planned the nationwide tour of the Champions Trophy trophy from November 16 to 24.
ICC Cancels PCB’s Controversial Champions Trophy Tour
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken swift action against the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) controversial decision to include disputed territories in the Champions Trophy trophy tour. According to reports by India Today and News18, the ICC directed the PCB to cancel the tour in response to the announcement.
The PCB had previously shared on social media that the trophy tour would begin in Islamabad on November 16 and visit cities like Skardu, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad, located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
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“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 posted on X.
Also Read: BCCI Informs ICC of Decision Against Pakistan Visit
Champions Trophy 2025 Controversy
The Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to take place in Pakistan between February and March, has sparked significant controversy. To promote the tournament, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) initially planned a trophy tour. However, reports suggest the tour has been canceled in regions falling under Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK).
Adding to the tension, India has expressed unwillingness to travel to Pakistan for the event. In response, the PCB has officially reached out to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for clarification on India’s stance. The letter from PCB seeks an explanation but does not mention potential changes to the tournament format or a hybrid hosting model.
In a recent statement, the PCB confirmed it was notified by the ICC about the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision. Following this, the PCB has referred the ICC’s communication to the Pakistani government for further action.
This disagreement between the PCB and BCCI has cast doubt over the tournament’s future. Despite the uncertainty, Pakistan has allocated nearly 17 billion rupees to upgrade stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi as part of its preparations for the event.
Champions Trophy 2025 Faces Uncertainty
The ICC had planned to announce the schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy in the second week of November, though venue details were yet to be confirmed. The tentative schedule suggests the tournament will take place from February 19 to March 9, with matches potentially held in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi.
India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket since their last series in India in 2012-13. India’s last visit to Pakistan was in 2008 for the Asia Cup, before the tragic 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, after which they have not traveled to the country.
In 2023, the Asia Cup was held in a hybrid model, with India’s matches played in Sri Lanka due to security concerns about traveling to Pakistan. It remains to be seen whether the Champions Trophy will follow a similar arrangement or be relocated entirely from Pakistan.
Also Read: PCB Proposes India Play Champions Trophy Matches in Pakistan
FAQs
Q.1. Why was the Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour canceled?
Ans. The ICC canceled the tour after objections from the BCCI over including regions in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the itinerary.
Q.2. Where was the Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour supposed to go?
Ans. The tour was planned to visit cities like Islamabad, Skardu, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad in Pakistan between November 16-24, 2024.
Q.3. What is the controversy surrounding the 2025 Champions Trophy?
Ans. The controversy stems from the inclusion of disputed territories in the tour and India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan for the event.
Q.4. Has the 2025 Champions Trophy been canceled?
Ans. No, the tournament is still scheduled for February-March 2025, but uncertainty remains regarding its location due to tensions between India and Pakistan.
Q.5. Will India participate in the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan?
Ans. India has expressed concerns over traveling to Pakistan, raising doubts about its participation, and the possibility of a hybrid model is under discussion.
