MUMBAI: The controversy surrounding the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, last held in 2017, continues to escalate with no tournament schedule — originally set to begin on Feb 19 and conclude on March 8 — in sight.
On Friday, BCCI secretary Jay Shah raised strong objections with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) plans to promote the Champions Trophy by conducting a trophy tour across regions in PakistanOccupied Kashmir (PoK).
A day after the PCB announced the tour on social media, the BCCI secretary raised the matter with the global cricket body. "Jay Shah has objected to that tweet (post) and has criticised and condemned PCB's plan to take the trophy to PoK cities.
"He has urged the ICC to take strong action in this regard. The PCB has no business sharing the schedule because it has to come from ICC. Things need to be done via appropriate channels,” said a source close to the development.
Another source said, "There is no question of approving or rejecting anything at this stage. Discussions on the final plan for the Trophy Tour are ongoing. As always, the confirmed schedule will be announced through ICC channels."
Normally, a trophy tour is a part of the global body's promotional exercise with multiple city visits as per an arrangement with the host country.
On Thursday, the PCB announced the plan on social media, mentioning stops in Skardu, Hunza and Muzaffarabad — territories in PoK. "Get ready, Pakistan! The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour kicks off in Islamabad on 16 Nov, also visiting scenic travel destinations like Skardu, Murree, Hunza and Muzaffarabad. Catch a glimpse of the trophy Sarfaraz Ahmed lifted in 2017 at the Oval," the post read.
India has already refused to play its Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan. While the ICC was expected to release the tournament schedule on Nov 11, the announcement has reportedly been postponed to Nov 22.
Meanwhile, the PCB has rejected the proposed ‘hybrid model', which would see India playing their matches in Dubai. It remains unclear if the BCCI is open to playing matches in Dubai.
