Last Updated:November 15, 2024, 10:46 IST

Champions Trophy Controversy: The announcement came in the backdrop of a big controversy, with BCCI making it clear that the Indian team will not travel to the Pakistan due to strained ties

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said it will conduct a tour with the Champions Trophy across the country, an announcement that has raised eyebrows for the inclusion of areas in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on the list of destinations.

The announcement came in the backdrop of a big controversy, with BCCI making it clear that the Indian team will not travel to the neighbouring country due to strained ties and security concerns. Pakistan hold the hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

“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”, a post by PCB said on Thursday.

Why This Is Provocation From Pakistan

What stood out in its social media messaging was the specific mention of Skardu, Hunza and Muzaffarabad, all of which are in PoK, a disputed region India claims as its own.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s refusal to play in Pakistan has irked PCB, which is currently run by Mohsin Raza Naqvi, who is also a federal minister.

The cold war has roiled the International Cricket Council (ICC)—and there have been reports that it is considering several formulas for avoiding a situation where the tournament is played without world cricket powerhouse India. A hybrid model where India play matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been in the news. So, have speculations over a complete change of venue and an indefinite postponement of the tournament. PCB, however, wants to go ahead without India. ICC, the world cricket governing, have yet to speak on the final venue.

The glittering trophy, meanwhile, has reached Islamabad from Dubai. The move to use PoK for provocation is from an old Pakistan playbook. It routinely invites foreign dignitaries for trips to PoK, a ploy that has drawn sharp Indian rebuttals time and again.

Earlier, the global cricketing body cancelled a major event marking the 100-day countdown to the Champions Trophy, that was supposed to be announced on November 11 in Lahore, owing to the hiccups they have encountered in scheduling, especially India games.

India Won’t Travel To Pakistan

The ICC has conveyed to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about India’s inability to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The global cricketing body sent an email to PCB, mentioning that India has decided against travelling to their neighbouring country for the 8-team tournament.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board has received an email from the ICC (International Cricket Council), stating that the Indian board has informed them that their team will not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025,” PCB spokesman Sami Ul Hasan was quoted as saying by AFP.

The BCCI has reportedly informed the global cricket body about the Indian government’s denial of permission to travel to Pakistan for the showpiece event.

ICC Champions Trophy Controversy

Pakistan is due to host the eight-nation event in three cities – Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi – from February 19 to March 9 next year but the final schedule was hanging in the balance with India yet to confirm its participation.

Ever since the ICC announced the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, there have been concerns over India’s participation in the marquee event given the diplomatic tensions between the two neighbouring countries. However, Pakistan travelled to India to play in the 2016 T20 World Cup and 2023 50-over World Cup.

India and Pakistan have only faced off in ICC multi-nation events since their last bilateral series in the 2012-13 season. Pakistan did not host any international cricket between 2009 and 2015 after gunmen attacked the Sri Lanka team 15 years ago.