ICC revises Champions Trophy tour schedule after BCCI objects to PoK venues
PTC Web Desk: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made late revisions to its schedule for the Champions Trophy trophy tour, following objections from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The changes come after the BCCI raised concerns about the trophy being displayed in regions such as Muzaffarabad, Skardu, and Hunza Valley, which fall under Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Sources said Jay Shah, the BCCI honorary secretary and the soon-to-be ICC president, specifically objected to these venues, which prompted the ICC to revise its tour route. As a result, the ICC has now unveiled a new schedule for the global tour, which is set to kick off in Islamabad.
The tour will feature the trophy at several prominent locations across Pakistan. On its opening day, November 16, the trophy will be showcased at iconic landmarks such as Daman-e-Koh, Faisal Mosque, and the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad, with former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar accompanying the event.
Key Dates for the Trophy Tour
16 November: Islamabad, Pakistan
17 November: Taxila and Khanpur, Pakistan
18 November: Abbottabad, Pakistan
19 November: Murree, Pakistan
20 November: Nathia Gali, Pakistan
22-25 November: Karachi, Pakistan
26-28 November: Afghanistan
10-13 December: Bangladesh
15-22 December: South Africa
25 December - 5 January: Australia
6-11 January: New Zealand
12-14 January: England
15-26 January: India
27 January: Event start in Pakistan
Champions Trophy 2025 in Limbo
The ongoing tensions between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the BCCI have raised serious doubts about the viability of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which Pakistan is scheduled to host. Pakistan has insisted on holding matches within its borders, while the BCCI has made it clear that India will not travel to Pakistan due to persistent security concerns and political tensions.
The dispute intensified after India officially declined to participate in the tournament on Pakistani soil. India and Pakistan have not engaged in bilateral cricket series since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, with the two nations only meeting in ICC events over the past decade.
The PCB has rejected the idea of a "hybrid" model, similar to the 2023 Asia Cup, where matches were held in both Pakistan and a neutral venue. The BCCI has reiterated India’s stance, emphasising that its cricket team will not travel to Pakistan under current conditions.
- With inputs from agencies
