The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has recently accused the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of attempting to sway other cricketing nations to oppose the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. According to a report by AnandaBazaar, the BCCI has allegedly promised increased bilateral series with these countries if they agree to oppose the tournament being held in Pakistan. This claim suggests that the International Cricket Council (ICC) is not officially aware of these alleged dealings. The Champions Trophy is set to take place in February-March 2025, but the uncertainty around its location continues. Despite the speculation, the ICC recently released a promotional video for the event, implying Pakistan is still the intended host. Additionally, the trophy tour has already commenced in Pakistan, although it faced a brief delay.
Controversy Surrounding the Trophy Tour
The Champions Trophy preparations have hit a snag after the ICC decided to remove cities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) from the Trophy Tour. This move came in response to India's strong objection. The updated Trophy Tour now includes cities such as Karachi, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Abbottabad in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region.
The tour began in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, and will proceed to other cities, including Taxila and Khanpur (November 17), Abbottabad (November 18), Murree (November 19), and Nathia Gali (November 20), before concluding in Karachi from November 22 to 25. These locations are known for their tourist appeal. Initially, the PCB had planned to include cities like Skardu, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad—regions located in the disputed PoK territory—when it first announced the tour on November 14.
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