In a significant escalation of tensions within international cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has strongly objected to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) recent announcement to embark on a Champions Trophy tour that includes matches in the disputed region of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). This move has prompted the International Cricket Council (ICC) to suspend the promotional event indefinitely.
The Champions Trophy, last held in 2017, was poised for a grand return as part of the ICC’s global promotional campaign. However, the tournament’s revival has been thrown into uncertainty following the BCCI’s formal notification to the ICC regarding the Indian cricket team’s inability to travel to Pakistan for the event.
PCB’s plans to include cities such as Skardu, Murree, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad in the trophy tour have been met with staunch opposition from the BCCI. The Indian cricket authority has also rejected the proposed ‘Hybrid Model,’ which suggested that India could play its matches in neutral venues like Dubai, leaving the tournament schedule in disarray.
Jay Shah, Secretary of the BCCI, addressed the issue on Friday, expressing his condemnation of the PCB’s unilateral decision. “After it came to his notice, he called up the ICC and was extremely critical of PCB’s move to conduct a Trophy tour of multiple cities which fall under Pakistan Occupied Kashmir,” a senior BCCI official disclosed to PTI on condition of anonymity. “He has urged the ICC to take strong action. As far as Islamabad is concerned, there is no issue but there can’t be any Trophy tour to POK.”
The PCB had initially announced the tour via its official social media channels, highlighting visits to scenic destinations and aiming to showcase the region’s beauty. “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. Catch a glimpse of the trophy which Sarfaraz Ahmed lifted in 2017 at The Oval, from 16-24 November,” the PCB tweeted.
However, the PCB’s announcement proceeded without prior consultation with key stakeholders, including the BCCI and the ICC. When approached for comments, an ICC Board Member stated, “The discussions on Trophy tour is still on. I am not aware if PCB had kept everyone in the loop about the four cities mentioned but if not then it was certainly not the right thing to do. I don’t think ICC will allow PCB to take the trophy to any disputed region.”
The ICC has since placed the promotional event on hold, pending further discussions and resolutions among the involved parties. The latest controversy threatens to derail the tournament further, casting a shadow over the future of international cricket engagements between India and Pakistan.
As the cricketing world watches closely, the resolution of this dispute will not only impact the Champions Trophy but also the broader landscape of cricket diplomacy in South Asia. Stakeholders are now calling for a mediated dialogue to ensure that the spirit of the game prevails over geopolitical tensions.
