The ICC made late adjustments to the trophy tour for the Champions Trophy after objections from the BCCI. According to India Today, BCCI Honorary Secretary Jay Shah, expected to become the next ICC head, opposed stops in Muzaffarabad, Skardu, and the Hunza Valley, located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The ICC initially announced the ‘Global Trophy Tour’ on Saturday, starting in Islamabad. The trophy will be displayed at iconic landmarks like Daman-e-Koh, Faisal Mosque, and the Pakistan Monument, with cricket legend Shoaib Akhtar present on the opening day.
Updated Trophy Tour Schedule
– November 16: Islamabad, Pakistan
– November 17: Taxila, Khanpur, Pakistan
– November 18: Abbottabad, Pakistan
– November 19: Murree, Pakistan
– November 20: Nathia Gali, Pakistan
– November 22–25: Karachi, Pakistan
– November 26–28: Afghanistan
– December 10–13: Bangladesh
– December 15–22: South Africa
– December 25–January 5: Australia
– January 6–11: New Zealand
– January 12–14: England
– January 15–26: India
– January 27 to Event Start: Pakistan
Champions Trophy 2025 Faces Challenges
The Champions Trophy’s 2025 edition is under threat due to ongoing tensions between the BCCI and PCB. Pakistan, awarded hosting rights, insists on hosting all matches domestically, while the BCCI has firmly stated that India will not tour Pakistan, citing security concerns.
Also Read: ICC Blocks PCB’s Plan To Host Champions Trophy Matches In PoK: Reports
On November 10, the PCB confirmed receiving an ICC email about India’s refusal to play in Pakistan. The PCB has rejected the “hybrid” model used in the 2023 Asia Cup, while the BCCI maintains its stance, emphasizing, “The team will not travel to Pakistan.”
India and Pakistan have avoided bilateral cricket series since 2008, meeting only in ICC tournaments amid strained relations.