ICC Raps Pakistan Over Controversial Champions Trophy Tour Plan In PoK Amid BCCI's Refusal To Travel

Last Updated:November 15, 2024, 19:08 IST

Champions Trophy Controversy: The announcement came in the backdrop of a big controversy, with BCCI making it clear that the Indian team will not travel to the Pakistan due to strained ties

ICC Champions Trophy Row: The ICC has conveyed to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about India’s inability to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. (X)

Pakistan’s planned tour of the Champions Trophy through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir drew a sharp reaction from India, which registered a strong protest with the Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday. As a fresh controversy broke out over the showpiece cricket tournament, there were reports that the world cricket governing body had shot down the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s controversial plan, a development that triggered a social media discussion, even though an official confirmation was awaited.

Less than 24 hours ago, PCB had raised eyebrows by posting on social media platform X that it will conduct a tour of the trophy across the country, while specifically mentioning areas in PoK in what was seen as a provocative move.

The announcement came in the backdrop of BCCI’s stand that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan due to strained ties and security concerns. Pakistan holds the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy tournament this year.

“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.

What stood out in its social media messaging was the specific mention of Skardu, Murree, Hunza and Muzaffarabad, all of which are in PoK, a disputed region India claims as its own.

Jay Shah Condemns PCB

On Friday, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah condemned the PCB move, raising strong objections, according to news agency ANI. He urged the ICC to take appropriate action against the seemingly political move.

Social media too was abuzz over the perceived snub to PCB. Mocking what he called Pakistan’s “loss of face", Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionary Amit Malviya posted on X: “ Cricket Council (ICC) has cancelled the ‘Champions Trophy’ trophy tour in the cities of Skardu, Hunza and Muzaffarabad, located in the region of illegally Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)."

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 ICC, and there have been reports that it is considering several formulas to avoid a situation where the tournament is played without the world cricket powerhouse in India.

A hybrid model where India plays matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been in the news. So, there have been speculations over a complete change of venue and an indefinite postponement of the tournament. PCB, however, wants to go ahead without India. ICC has yet to speak on the final venue.

The glittery trophy, meanwhile, reached Pakistan from the ICC headquarters in Dubai just hours ahead of PCB’s announcement that snowballed into a big row on Friday. 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.

As the controversy raged, BCCI vice-president and Congress leader Rajeev Shukla was quoted as saying by ANI: “We are very clear about it…and it’s our policy that whatever the government asks us (to do), whatever the direction it gives, we will act according to that. We have conveyed this to ICC as well."

India Won’t Travel To Pakistan

The ICC has conveyed to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about India’s inability to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The global cricketing body sent an email to PCB, mentioning that India has decided against travelling to their neighbouring country for the 8-team tournament.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board has received an email from the ICC ( Cricket Council), stating that the Indian board has informed them that their team will not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025," PCB spokesman Sami Ul Hasan was quoted as saying by AFP.

The BCCI has reportedly informed the global cricket body about the Indian government’s denial of permission to travel to Pakistan for the showpiece event.

ICC Champions Trophy Controversy

Pakistan is due to host the eight-nation event in three cities – Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi – from February 19 to March 9 next year but the final schedule was hanging in the balance with India yet to confirm its participation.

Ever since the ICC announced the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, there have been concerns over India’s participation in the marquee event given the diplomatic tensions between the two neighbouring countries. However, Pakistan travelled to India to play in the 2016 T20 World Cup and 2023 50-over World Cup.

India and Pakistan have only faced off in ICC multi-nation events since their last bilateral series in the 2012-13 season. Pakistan did not host any international cricket between 2009 and 2015 after gunmen attacked the Sri Lanka team 15 years ago.

News cricket ICC Raps Pakistan Over Controversial Champions Trophy Tour Plan In PoK Amid BCCI's Refusal To Travel