The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has agreed to restrict the Champions Trophy tour to 3 host cities of Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi after the BCCI protested to the ICC against PCB’s decision to include Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the tour itinerary.
“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,” PCB said in a post on Thursday.
Following this announcement, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah filed a protest towards the ICC.
“PCB is already in discussions with the ICC on how to proceed with the trophy tour to ensure the Champions Trophy is continued to be promoted in Pakistan. The ICC Champions Trophy tour was planned in consultation and with the approval of the ICC. The PCB had not unilaterally finalized the trophy tour schedule,” a PCB source told The Indian Express.
A top BCCI official said that Jay Shah told the ICC that is unacceptable that the PCB is planning a trophy tour in PoK.
“BCCI secretary Shah has objected to the PCB’s idea to hold a Champions Trophy tour in PoK. The BCCI has no problem if the tour is conducted in any other city of Pakistan or even in a stadium outside PoK or in a mall. But they cannot hold it in PoK,” a BCCI official said.
The tournament that was last held in 2017, is already embroiled in controversy as the BCCI has informed the ICC that they won’t let the Indian team travel to Pakistan for the tournament and suggested that the competition be held in hybrid mode. However, the PCB has not yet agreed to their demands.
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