BCCI objects to PCB’s POK plan; ICC puts Champions Trophy tour on hold

Amid all the hustle and bustle, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been forced to change their decision by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). An objection over their ‘tour’ of the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) by the BCCI, the International Cricket Council (ICC) made sure that the PCB changed their plan and limited the tour to just the three host cities of Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi as well.

After totally denying visiting Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 and forcing the PCB into uncertainty, they are contemplating withdrawing from the tournament if not granted full hosting rights as well.

BCCI objects to PCB's Trophy Tour

Meanwhile, a PCB source has also confirmed to the Indian Express that changes have been made. It’s also been shared that ICC allowed the trophy tour much like they did the schedule, budget, and venues for the Champions Trophy 2025 but they did not account for BCCI’s acceptance as well.

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“PCB is already in discussions with the ICC on how to proceed with the trophy tour to ensure the Champions Trophy is continued to be promoted in Pakistan. The ICC Champions Trophy tour was planned in consultation and with the approval of the ICC. The PCB had not unilaterally finalised the trophy tour schedule,” the source said.

PCB’s Champions Trophy Tour plan

However, the trophy tour was supposed to begin on November 16 in Islamabad before moving to other cities like Murree and Hunza as well. The tour would then shift to Skardu and Muzaffarabad, the regions that both India and Pakistan claim as theirs as well. However, the planned tour in PoK did not go down well with the BCCI Secretary, Jay Shah, who raised objections with the ICC as well.

"The BCCI secretary, after it came to his notice, 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 privy to the development said to PTI on conditions 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."