The objection caused a delay in the completion of a new route, increasing the chances that the tour would be delayed entirely. The PCB had on Thursday announced the launch and route of the tour on its social media channels, taking the ICC by surprise; Being an ICC event, the protocol is for the global body to announce those details.
But an alternative route was finalized late on Friday, allowing the tour to begin, as originally planned and announced by the PCB, from Saturday. Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will accompany the trophy on the first day as it will be displayed at well-known locations in the capital including Daman-e-Koh, Faisal Mosque and the Pakistan Memorial.
From Islamabad, the trophy will go to schools, colleges and landmarks in Abbottabad, Murree and Karachi in the first leg before embarking on an international tour, visiting the other seven countries that are part of the Champions Trophy.
The trophy then returns to Pakistan on January 27, three weeks before the tournament is scheduled to start, with another tour of Pakistan venues.
The PCB has written to the ICC asking the BCCI to put in writing the exact reasons for their inability to carry out the visit, as well as asking the ICC when they were informed of the BCCI’s decision.
