ICC Champions Trophy Row: Pakistan Provokes India, Cricket Board Announces Trophy Tour In PoK
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said it will conduct a tour with the Champions Trophy across the country, an announcement that has raised eyebrows for the inclusion of areas in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on the list of destinations.
The announcement came in the backdrop of a big controversy, with BCCI making it clear that the Indian team will not travel to the neighbouring country due to strained ties and security concerns. Pakistan hold the hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
“Get ready, Pakistan. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour kicks off in Islamabad on 16 November, also visiting scenic travel destinations like Skardu, Murree, Hunza and Muzaffarabad", a post by PCB said on Thursday.
Why This Is Provocation From Pakistan
What stood out in its social media messaging was the specific mention of Skardu, Hunza and Muzaffarabad, all of which are in PoK, a disputed region India claims as its own.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s refusal to play in Pakistan has irked PCB, which is currently run by Mohsin Raza Naqvi, who is also a federal minister.
The cold war has roiled the International Cricket Council (ICC)—and there have been reports that it is considering several formulas for avoiding a situation where the tournament is played without world cricket powerhouse India. A hybrid model where India play matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been in the news. So, have speculations over a complete change of venue and an indefinite postponement of the tournament. PCB, however, wants to go ahead without India. ICC, the world cricket governing, have yet to speak on the final venue.
The glittering trophy, meanwhile, has reached Islamabad from Dubai. The move to use PoK for provocation is from an old Pakistan playbook. It routinely invites foreign dignitaries for trips to PoK, a ploy that has drawn sharp Indian rebuttals time and again.
Earlier, the global cricketing body cancelled a major event marking the 100-day countdown to the Champions Trophy, that was supposed to be announced on November 11 in Lahore, owing to the hiccups they have encountered in scheduling, especially India games.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah objected to Pakistan Cricket Board's move to take the Champions Trophy for a tour of the disputed PoK
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