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Champions Trophy 2025: ICC cancels trophy tour in PoK, day after PCB's announcement

Champions Trophy 2025: ICC cancels trophy tour in PoK, day after PCB's announcement

Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been handed a huge setback in the build-up to the Champions Trophy 2025 on Friday (Nov 15). The International Cricket Council (ICC) has cancelled the trophy tour in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) regions of Skardu, Murree, and Muzaffarabad.

ICC cancels CT tour

As learned on Friday, the ICC will not tour the coveted trophy in the sensitive regions of the border as the nations are yet to reach a compromise on the travel-related issues. Despite being the official hosts of the Champions Trophy, PCB has found it difficult to reach an agreement with ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to stage India’s matches in the nation. India informed ICC in the midweek that they won’t be travelling to Pakistan for the CT and the same was then informed by the ICC to PCB.

As reported by WION earlier, the PCB wrote a letter to the ICC and has asked for clarification on why India is not travelling to Pakistan despite other nations having no issues.

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Champions Trophy to be held in hybrid model?

As things stand, with less than three months to go for the Champions Trophy to start Pakistan is not yet confident of hosting the entire tournament with the Indian team reluctant to travel. Pakistan’s proposal to host India’s matches including the final has been rejected by the BCCI, leaving ICC with three options.

Like 2008, the Champions Trophy could be postponed until a solution is met as the ICC could explore the idea. On the other hand, India’s reluctance to travel could force them out of the tournament if they are forfeited. However, that option looks unlikely due to India’s brand value in cricket and Jay Shah set to become the chairperson of the board of directors of ICC.

The hybrid model remains the best option and likely option to host the Champions Trophy with India’s matches to take place outside Pakistan while the rest of the seven teams play in the nation.