Champions Trophy: The International Cricket Council on its part reacted swiftly to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s much-criticized statement. The board has instructed that the PCB scrap its scheduled Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour. The latest decision from the ICC follows a series of previously unveiled details by the PCB regarding the tour that was scheduled to take off from November 16 in Islamabad and visit various cities located in the disputed Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir region.
Get ready, Pakistan!
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 14, 2024
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
In a rather gutsy move, the PCB had issued a statement announcing a national trek of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, from where the function was going to begin on November 16 in Islamabad. The journey in question would also take the visitors through Skardu, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad – all of which are in the sensitive area of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Declaring this decision had aroused massive controversy soon enough that the ICC had to intervene.
The cancellation order comes at a time when, far from being calmed down, the tensions surrounding the tournament and the broader geopolitical considerations behind the choice of location for the proposed trophy tour yet persist.
🚨 ICC DENIED THE PCB 🚨
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 15, 2024
– The ICC has refused the PCB to do the Champions Trophy tour to any of the disputed Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. (Sports Tak). pic.twitter.com/TXVJI4ovsG
Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: Trophy Tour Kicks Off In POK Amid India-Pakistan Tensions
ICC Requests BCCI’s Written Explanation On India’s Participation
According to Geo News reports, apart from asking the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) formally document their stance for not traveling to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025, it is reported that ICC has also asked BCCI to submit formal written explanation for not traveling to Pakistan.
Whereas BCCI had orally communicated its position on security issues to the ICC, the official application for a written reply has further complicated the issue. The PCB has demanded that India send them a photocopy of the reply given by the BCCI, and would be seeking “substantial evidence” behind India’s refusal to play in the tournament.
Potential Consequences If India Fails To Provide Prima Facie Reasons
According to a report by Geo News, the ‘proper reasons’ still pending from India over the non-travel to Pakistan might compel the ICC to order the country to send its team to the event. If India continues refusing, the report says that the ICC would even consider replacing India with another nation so that the event can continue as scheduled.
PCB Under Pressure As Champions Trophy 2025 Continues To Be In Limbo
The back-and-forth between the PCB, BCCI, and ICC has sparked much debate over the chances of the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. The event is less than three months away; given the geopolitics and logistical hurdles rendering things complicated, much will depend on how things pan out. The issue has already clouded the event, and the tournament’s fate is uncertain.
Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: India Set To Approach ICC, Decision Expected Soon! Latest Update Inside
