ICC gives a big blow to Pakistan, Champions Trophy will not go to PoK

Champions Trophy 2025: The atmosphere regarding Champions Trophy 2025 is quite hot these days. The hosting of this prestigious tournament of the International Cricket Council (ICC) has been handed over to Pakistan, but the political and diplomatic tension between India and Pakistan has raised many questions about this event. The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has clearly stated that the Indian team will not tour Pakistan due to security reasons.

India's stance and BCCI's objection

The BCCI had already informed the ICC that it would not travel to Pakistan. Due to this position of India, there is doubt about the venue of the tournament. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the Trophy Tour, in which there was a plan to take the trophy to some cities of Pakistan as well as Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The PCB said on social media that the trophy will go to places like Skardu, Murree, Hunza and Muzaffarabad. Three of these places (Skardu, Hunza and Muzaffarabad) fall in PoK. As soon as this information came to light, the BCCI strongly objected to it and demanded immediate action from the ICC.

ICC's decision: The trophy will not go to disputed places

The ICC gave strict instructions to the PCB that the trophy cannot be allowed to be taken to any disputed place. This decision was not only due to the objection of the BCCI, but it also made it clear that the ICC wants to maintain its neutrality in disputed areas.

Pakistan's response and possible changes

Pakistan had loudly promoted the plan of the trophy tour. The PCB had claimed that this trophy tour would start from November 16, where it would be taken to the tourist places of PoK after Islamabad. But now after the instructions of the ICC, Pakistan may have to change its venue.

Schedule and delay in organizing

The schedule for organizing the Champions Trophy has not been announced yet. This is the first time that the trophy tour has been started before the schedule of the tournament. Usually the schedule is released about 100 days before the tournament. But the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan has complicated it.

What will happen next?

After India's refusal to play in Pakistan, possibilities of organizing the tournament in a hybrid model or in another country are being explored regarding the venue. But it is difficult to say when this issue will be resolved between the ICC and PCB.

Conclusion

The Champions Trophy 2025 has become not just a cricket tournament but another test of diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan. The ICC has a big challenge to organize this tournament successfully and ensure the safety of all the teams. It will be interesting to see what happens in the future.