BCCI flags Pak board’s plan to host Champions Trophy tour in POK: Sources
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has flagged Pakistan Cricket Board’s PCB) plan to host the Champions Trophy trophy tour in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (Pok).
Board secretary Jay Shah has taken up the issue with the International Cricket Council, India Today has learned. Notably, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the inclusion of Skardu, Murree, and Muzaffarabad, areas which fall within the PoK, in the tour itinerary.
The eight-team tournament is set to be held in Pakistan in February-March 2025 and to build up for the cricketing extravaganza, the PCB had organized the trophy tour. However, the BCCI has objected to the trophy tour in POK, which has been a disputed land between India and Pakistan ever since the partition of the two countries in 1947.
When India Today approached ICC to get an update on the trophy tour a source said that the itinerary of the tour is yet to be confirmed and will be announced by the official channels of the ICC.
“There is no question of approving or rejecting anything, we are still in discussions on the final plan of the Trophy Tour. As always the confirmed Trophy Tour schedule will be announced via ICC channels,” said the source.
Meanwhile, the Champions Trophy 2025 has been marred by controversy due to India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan for the cricketing event. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to the ICC seeking clarification on India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. In its letter to the ICC, the PCB has requested an official explanation regarding India’s stance. The communication from Pakistan does not discuss the event format or a potential hybrid model.
The PCB 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. This stand-off between the PCB and BCCI has left the future of the Champions Trophy in doubt. Pakistan has already allocated close to 17 billion rupees to upgrade stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi in preparation for the tournament next year.
Champions Trophy 2025 in jeopardy
The ICC was reportedly set to announce the schedule, without confirmation of the venues, in the second week of November. According to a tentative schedule, the Champions Trophy is set to be held from February 19 to March 9, with matches scheduled in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi.
India and Pakistan don’t have bilateral cricketing relations since the two teams last contested in an ODI and T20I series in India in 2012-13. India last travelled to Pakistan in 2008 for the Asia Cup and haven’t visited the country after the horrific 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai the same year.
In 2023, the Asia Cup was held in a hybrid model with India’s matches held in Sri Lanka after their reluctance to travel to Pakistan. It remains to be seen whether the Champions Trophy will also be held in the same manner or will be completely shifted out of Pakistan.