PCB bows all the way down to BCCI, cancels ICC Champions Trophy 2025 ‘trophy tour’ of PoK

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been forced to change yet another decision by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). An objection over the ‘tour’ of the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) by the BCCI, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has ensured that the PCB corrects its course and limits the tour to just the three host cities of Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.

After vehemently denying any chancing of visiting Pakistan for the Champions Trophy and forcing the PCB into limbo, wherein they are contemplating withdrawing from the tournament, which if not granted the full hosting rights, the BCCI has forced the PCB to make changes in their rather inconsequential seeming ‘trophy tour’.

Change in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 tour

A PCB source has confirmed to the Indian Express that changes have been made. It’s also been pointed out that ICC green-lit the trophy tour much like they did the schedule, budget, and venues for the Champions Trophy 2025 but did not account for BCCI’s acceptance.

“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 original ‘trophy tour’ plan

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