ICC demanded to cancel the Champions Trophy 2025 tour in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) following objections from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)…
Digital Desk: The ICC (International Council of Cricket) has written to the PCB (Pakistan’s cricket board) to call off plans to host Champions Trophy 2025 games in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This came after BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) raised its security concerns and lack of government clearance for the Indian team to visit Pakistan.
ICC demanded to cancel the Champions Trophy 2025 tour in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) following objections from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The tour, initially scheduled to kick off on November 16 in Islamabad and then move to cities like Skardu, Murree, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad, has been scrapped due to India's concerns.
However, Pakistan remains determined to exercise full control of the hosting of Sri Lanka. Hopes have been voiced that if no consensus is found, the ICC may seek another venue, such as India or South Africa. The PCB has threatened to sue India, pull out of the Champion Trophy, and boycott the ICC events involving India while also asking for an explanation of India’s no-visit policy on Pakistan.
The schedule for hosting the event remains uncertain, though it is expected to happen in February or March next year, 2025. This situation is being aggravated by the PCB’s decision to host the event without going for a hybrid method. Pakistan had envisaged a heavy trophy tour before and during the tournament, but with the ICC canceling the PoK leg of the tour, the entire schedule will be affected.
The PCB and BCCI continue to fight for the balance of the Champions Trophy 2025, which seems uncertain to take place due to the possibility of the Pakistan tour cancellation if the PCB is blocked from executing its hosting rights.
