The International Cricket Council (ICC) has cancelled the Champions Trophy tour in the cities of Skardu, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad, located in the region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
It has been reliably learnt that ICC’s move comes after BCCI objected to PCB’s plan. The Pakistan Cricket Board announced a nationwide trophy tour of the Champions Trophy from November 16-24.
The eight team tournament is set to be held in Pakistan played in February-March 2025 and to build up for the extravaganza. However, India today has learnt that the trophy tour has been cancelled in the cities of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The Champions Trophy 2025 has been marred by controversy due to India refusing to travel to Pakistan for cricketing event. The Pakistan Cricketing Board has written to the ICC seeking an explanation on India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan.
With Pakistan has ruled out the potential options of hybrid model, it remains uncertain on India’s participation in Champions Trophy.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed in a statement that it was informed by the ICC about the BCCI’s decision. Reportedly, the PCB has forwarded the ICC’s communication to the Pakistani government to determine the next steps.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be first tournament that Pakistan would be hosting a global ICC event since they co-hosted the ODI World Cup in 1996 and the PCB wants to set an example that Pakistan often targeted for security issues, is safe for big tournaments.
But the tournament has been thrown into turmoil after India’s refusal and the PCB has rejected the concept of a hybrid tournament, in which India would play its matches at neutral location, like the United Arab Emirates.
Pakistan has already allocated close to 17 billion rupees to upgrade Stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi in preparation for the tournament next year.
If the tournament is either postponed or moved to any other country, the PCB riske facing ICC sanctions, including cuts to substantial ICC funding, if it withdraws.
Not just that, the report adds that moving or postponing the Champions Trophy would mean losing out on Potentially USD 65 millions as hosting fees, substantial money for PCB.
The ICC was reportedly set to announce the shcedule, without confirmation of the venues, in the second week of November.
Meanwhile, ICC has released the promo for the event confirming Pakistan as the hosts. The schedule for the marquee event is yet to be out. It is expected to be released soon. It would be interesting to see if India travel to Pakistan for the mega event or not.
