The ICC Champions Trophy tour is set to begin on Saturday in Islamabad, Pakistan. However, the tour’s original route, which included Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, has been altered after objections from the BCCI. Muzaffarabad is part of a territory disputed by India and Pakistan, and the BCCI’s concerns delayed the finalisation of a revised route, creating uncertainty about whether the tour would proceed as planned.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had initially announced the route on its social media channels on Thursday, catching the ICC off guard. As an ICC event, such announcements are typically made by the global governing body. A new route was finalised late Friday, allowing the tour to proceed without further delays. Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will accompany the trophy on its first day in Islamabad, where it will be displayed at prominent landmarks such as Daman-e-Koh, Faisal Mosque, and the Pakistan Monument.
The first leg of the tour will take the trophy to schools, colleges, and landmarks in Abbottabad, Murree, and Karachi before it embarks on an international journey, visiting the seven other participating countries. The trophy is set to return to Pakistan on January 27, three weeks before the tournament’s scheduled start, for another round of visits to venues across the country.
Despite the tour’s launch, less than 100 days remain until the tournament, and there is still no clarity on the extent to which Pakistan will host the event. The BCCI has informed the ICC that its government will not permit the Indian team to play in Pakistan, raising the prospect of a hybrid tournament model where India’s matches are held outside of Pakistan. The PCB has opposed this suggestion, insisting that the entire tournament should take place within Pakistan.
The PCB has formally written to the ICC, requesting the BCCI to provide written reasons for their refusal to play in Pakistan and to clarify when the ICC was informed of this decision. The venue dispute remains unresolved as the tournament draws nearer.
Updated on 16th November, 2024 by MyFortune11 Team