 "Pakistan drop PoK regions from trophy tour of Champions Trophy, says ICC approved the plan: Report")
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly agreed to drop the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) regions from the tour of the Champions Trophy after objections from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The PCB had announced on social media on Thursday that it will be taking the Champions Trophy to cities like Skardu, Hunza and Muzaffarabad , all of which fall in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, a region illegally occupied by Pakistan in 1947 after the Partition.
The PCB’s trophy tour plans were seen as an attempt to provoke India and the BCCI and it certainly produced a strong reaction as general secretary Jay Shah, who is set to become the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman in December, raised objection to current head Greg Barclay .
“Jay Shah has objected to that tweet and has criticised and condemned PCB’s plan to take the trophy to PoK cities. Additionally, PCB has no business sharing the schedule because it has to come from the ICC. Things need to be done appropriately, via appropriate channels,” a source told The Times of India.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsPCB says trophy tour was consulted with ICC
After BCCI sprung into action, the PCB has decided to restrict the trophy tour only to Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi – the cities that will be hosting Champions Trophy 2025 matches if there are no last-minute changes. PCB has decided against hosting the trophy tour in PoK regions, as per a report in the Indian Express.
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There’s one twist to the whole saga though. A PCB source has informed the Indian Express that the trophy tour was planned in consultation with the ICC and they did not plan anything unilaterally.
“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,” a PCB source said. “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.”
Also Read | Amid BCCI vs PCB spat, ICC video says Champions Trophy will be hosted in Pakistan
While this issue seems to have been sorted, there’s still no clarity on when the Champions Trophy schedule will be released. It’s another topic where PCB and BCCI are at loggerheads. India have refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 in February-March and Pakistan are not willing to accept a Hybrid Model . They are insisting on hosting all matches in Pakistan and have also threatened a boycott if the tournament is moved outside Pakistan.
The expected dates for Champions Trophy 2025 are 19 February to 9 March.
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