As India withdraws itself from playing in Pakistan, International Council of Cricket (ICC) has cancelled Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s trophy tour in the cities of Skardu, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad, located in the region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)
Amid uncertainty over India’s participation and schedule, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revealed that the trophy tour for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will kick off from Islamabad on November 16.
The PCB took to X to reveal the Champions Trophy tour will kick off in Islamabad and will also see destinations like Skardu, Murree, Hunza and Muzaffarabad.
BCCI vs PCB
India and Pakistan played their last bilateral series in 2012-13 in India, a white-ball series and now mostly play in ICC tournaments and Asia Cup.
PCB wrote to the International Cricket Council (ICC) seeking reasons behind India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan to play the ICC Champions Trophy next year, Geo News reported on Tuesday.
India to not travel to Pakistan
India conveyed its stance of not travelling to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy, citing ‘security concerns’.
ICC conveyed to the PCB in writing that India won’t travel to Pakistan to participate in the Champions Trophy, which will be held in early 2025.
PCB consulted with the Pakistan government on the issue and is looking to present its stance. The Pakistan board wants India to travel to Pakistan as their team also went during the time of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup in 2023.
ICC questions BCCI over decision:
The international cricket body has officially asked for a written explanation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over its decision not to send the Indian team to Pakistan for next year’s Champions Trophy, reported Geo News.
In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) requested the ICC to provide a copy of India’s response, sources told Geo News. “In case of receiving a written reply, Pakistan may seek substantial evidence supporting the reasons,” sources told Geo News, adding that the ICC would then have to take a final decision about India after reviewing those reasons.
In case India refuses to travel to Pakistan for any reason, then another team may come in as a replacement for the mega event, the sources further added.