The Champions Trophy 2025, already mired in geopolitical challenges, faced a fresh controversy over its trophy tour. The ICC’s decision to send the Champions Trophy silverware on a tour of host country Pakistan took an unexpected turn when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) objected to its planned stops in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The tour, which kicked off on November 16 in Islamabad, was scheduled to include visits to scenic destinations such as Skardu, Hunza, Muzaffarabad, and even K2, the world’s second-highest peak. However, following the BCCI’s intervention, the itinerary is now under review.
BCCI’s Objection Halts Trophy Tour
Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary and incoming ICC Chair, lodged a strong protest with the ICC, asserting that the planned stops in PoK were unacceptable. A BCCI official stated, “Mr. Jay Shah has taken strong objection to the PCB’s plans to take the trophy to PoK areas. It is not acceptable to the BCCI.”
The objection followed a public announcement by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on November 15, which detailed the tour schedule. “Get ready, Pakistan! 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,” the PCB stated on its social media platforms.
In response, the BCCI promptly lodged a formal protest with the ICC, leading to a halt in the tour and a review of its next steps.
ICC and PCB in the Crossfire
The ICC has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the controversy, while PCB sources insist that the itinerary was finalized in consultation with the ICC and its commercial partners. The PCB’s stance is that the route was not a unilateral decision but rather the outcome of collaborative planning.
Despite the BCCI’s protest, the PCB is keen to ensure the tour continues uninterrupted. Discussions are now underway between the PCB and ICC to revise the itinerary. One proposed solution is to restrict the tour to major hosting centres such as Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore, which were originally excluded due to weather conditions like heavy fog.
Champions Trophy in Turmoil
This controversy adds to the broader uncertainty surrounding the Champions Trophy 2025. The BCCI has already refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan, citing political and security concerns. The PCB has opposed the hybrid model proposed by the ICC, which would have split matches between Pakistan and a neutral venue. These disagreements have raised questions about the feasibility of hosting the eight-team tournament, scheduled for February 19 to March 9, 2025.
What Lies Ahead?
The trophy remains in Islamabad while the ICC deliberates on the next steps. With no clear resolution in sight, the PCB faces the challenge of salvaging the tour without further damaging the tournament’s reputation. The latest controversy threatens to deepen the existing rift between the BCCI and PCB, jeopardizing the tournament’s smooth conduct.
While fans eagerly anticipate the Champions Trophy, the ongoing disputes underscore the complexities of hosting international cricket in politically sensitive regions. The question now is not just about the trophy’s tour, but about the fate of the entire tournament.
