BCCI opposes PCB’s Champions Trophy tour to Muzaffarabad

A new twist in the 2025 Champions Trophy has thrown the ICC trophy tour into confusion a day before it began in Pakistan, after the BCCI opposed the PCB’s plan to take the tour to Muzaffarabad, which is the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. , a disputed territory called PoK in India and Azad Kashmir in Pakistan.

 

ESPNcricinfo has learned that the BCCI notified the ICC of its objection on Friday, a day after the PCB published a post on X (formerly Twitter) announcing the dates and venues the tour would head to.

 

It could not be confirmed whether the BCCI raised its objection in writing or verbally. It is understood that it has not yet been approved or rejected and that the ICC is still in talks over the final trophy tour plan.

 

The PCB’s publication took the ICC by surprise given that it is an ICC event and such communication is usually announced through its channels.

 

According to the PCB publication, the tour is scheduled to begin on November 16, but given the BCCI’s objection, it was unclear at the time of writing whether it will continue on that day. In its X release, the PCB said the trophy tour would also include other popular tourist destinations including Skardu, Murree and Hunza.

 

There is a possibility that the tour will begin in an initial phase by taking the trophy – of which Pakistan is the current champion – to the venues that will be used in the tournament – Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi – and then tour the other places during a second phase of the tour.

 

 

This latest development adds to the growing uncertainty over the tournament itself, after it emerged last week that the BCCI wrote to the ICC stating that the Indian government had denied permission for India to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. The ICC transmitted that decision to the PCB. In response, the PCB, which is currently preparing its three venues, has said it would not accept a hybrid model, a solution preferred by the BCCI and which will allow India to play its matches outside Pakistan.

 

The PCB responded to the ICC earlier this week by asking them several questions about the BCCI communication, including when exactly it was conveyed to the ICC and what are the specific reasons why India cannot travel. They have also asked the ICC to provide them with a formal communication from the BCCI explaining the decision and the reasons for the same.

 

Communication on the matter is believed to have since taken place between PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and ICC leaders in a bid to resolve the issue. But the PCB insists that the questions it has posed to the ICC be answered.

 

The PCB has set February 19 to March 9 as dates for the eight-team Champions Trophy, but the ICC is yet to formally release the dates and schedule of the tournament.

 

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