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The ICC has reportedly asked the PCB to cancel the trophy tour of the Champions Trophy in the cities of Skardu, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad, located in the region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
ICC Champions Trophy Row: The ICC has conveyed to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about India’s inability to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. (X)
After the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a trophy tour of the 2025 Champions Trophy, covering the three cities of ‘Pakistan occupied Kashmir’, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly denied the hosts to conduct a tour in the disputed PoK region.
PCB announced on Thursday that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour will be held from November 16, covering the cities — Skardu, Hunza and Muzaffarabad — that fall under the PoK region.
“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. Catch a glimpse of the trophy which Sarfaraz Ahmed lifted in 2017 at The Oval, from 16-24 November,” the PCB posted on X.
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However, as per reports, the ICC has denied the PCB to conduct a ‘trophy tour’ in the areas that are part of PoK after it was allegedly pointed out by the BCCI.
India have already stated that it is reluctant to travel to Pakistan and conveyed that to the ICC. The PCB has since written to the ICC to ask for an explanation of India’s decision to not go to Pakistan for the competition.
Meanwhile, the PCB is exploring the option of approaching the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on the matter as they remain adamant about hosting the full tournament in Pakistan.
No Back-Channel Diplomacy
Pakistan on Thursday said that no back-channel diplomacy was going on with India. The spokesperson of the Foreign Office, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, was asked questions at the weekly press briefing regarding the status of the cricket tournament scheduled to be held in Pakistan early next year.
“There is no back channel with India to specifically discuss the Champions Trophy and bilateral Cricket between Pakistan and India,” she said.
She added that further details with regards to the holding of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the participation of the various teams was available with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which can share any further details. Baloch went on to say that sports events should not be mixed with politics.
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“Pakistan has always said that sports should not be politicized,” she said.
Asked whether Pakistan plans to go ahead with the Champions Trophy if India persists with its refusal to send its team, she said that the PCB was in contact with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to discuss the arrangements, including the participation of different teams in the tournament.
“We would refer you to the Pakistan Cricket Board for any comments or clarification with regards to this issue,” she said.
(With inputs from Agencies)
