IND vs PAK: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has put a stop to the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) move to take the Champions Trophy to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). This decision has come after strong objection from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
IND vs PAK: The 2025 Champions Trophy is proposed to be held in Pakistan. This tournament was last played in 2017 and is still hanging in the balance. But yesterday a new controversy arose when the Pakistan Cricket Board in its tweet informed about the Champions Trophy tour to PoK. India took immediate action and lodged its objection with the ICC.
PCB tweeted along with the 2017 Champions Trophy, "Get Ready, Pakistan! ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Trophy tour will start on 16th November in Islamabad and will also visit tourist attractions like Skardu, Murree, Hunza and Muzaffarabad. Take a look at the trophy won by Sarfraz Ahmed at The Oval in 2017 from 16th to 24th November."
BCCI immediately raised objection
BCCI secretary Jay Shah spoke to top ICC officials on Friday and condemned Pakistan's move. A senior BCCI official told PTI on condition of anonymity that the BCCI secretary (Jay Shah) called the ICC and strongly criticized the PCB's move to tour several cities under Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He has urged the ICC to take strict action. As far as Islamabad is concerned, there is no issue in it. But the trophy cannot tour Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The trophy tour is part of the ICC's promotional campaign which includes visiting several cities as per the discussions between the ICC and the host country. However, the PCB announced on its official social media without consulting all the cricket boards that the trophy will be taken to Skardu, Murree and Hunza even though these areas fall under the disputed territory. The Pakistan Cricket Board has earlier said that all the cricket boards have agreed to participate in it. But India has maintained its old stance and refused to send its team to Pakistan.
India has not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The BCCI has also refused to send its team to Pakistan for this year's Champions Trophy. However, India had suggested conducting matches on a hybrid model. But the PCB has rejected India's proposed 'hybrid model' of playing its matches in Dubai. The schedule is also on hold and the new controversy will only make things worse.
When news agency PTI contacted an ICC board member on this issue, he said that discussions are still going on regarding the trophy tour. I don't know whether the PCB had informed everyone about these four cities or not. But if not, then it was definitely not right. I don't think the ICC will allow the PCB to take the trophy to any disputed area.
