The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly blocked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from conducting a trophy tour in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, citing concerns raised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The PCB had earlier announced a comprehensive trophy tour starting November 16, with stops in Skardu, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad, along with other scenic destinations like Murree. The tour was meant to promote the upcoming Champions Trophy, which Pakistan is set to host in early 2025. However, the inclusion of cities in PoK sparked a backlash, leading to the ICC’s intervention.
“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 (formerly Twitter) before reports of the ICC’s decision emerged.
The BCCI had earlier expressed its unwillingness to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan for the tournament, citing security and political concerns. The PCB, in response, formally approached the ICC to question India’s stance and has been exploring legal options, including potentially involving the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), to address the matter.
Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, during a weekly press briefing, reiterated Pakistan’s position that sports should not be politicized. “Pakistan has always said that sports should not be politicized,” she stated, while denying any ongoing back-channel diplomacy with India to resolve the cricketing impasse.
When asked whether the Champions Trophy would proceed if India refuses to participate, Baloch deferred to the PCB, which is reportedly in close contact with the ICC regarding arrangements for the tournament.
Despite India’s reluctance, the PCB remains steadfast in its commitment to hosting the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Reports suggest that the cricket board views the ICC’s decision to block the trophy tour in PoK as politically motivated and is keen on defending its rights as the tournament’s host.
As tensions simmer, the PCB is expected to hold further discussions with the ICC while continuing its preparations for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
