ICC asks PCB to cancel Champions Trophy tour in PoK

NEW DELHI: In a significant setback to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the International Cricket Council (ICC) has cancelled the Champions Trophy trophy tour in the cities of Skardu, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad, located in the region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).It is understood that the ICC is yet to formalise the plan for the trophy tour but PCB seemed to have jumped the gun by announcing the schedule. Reacting to the development, BCCI secretary Jay Shah has raised strong objection with the ICC on PCB's plans to promote the Champions Trophy in the country."Jay Shah has objected to that tweet [post] and has criticised and condemned PCB's plan to take the trophy to PoK cities. Additionally, PCB has no business sharing the schedule because it has to come from the ICC. Things need to be done appropriately, via appropriate channels," a source aware of developments told TimesofIndia.com.The PCB announced on Thursday the schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour, which was initially set to commence on November 16 in Islamabad."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. Catch a glimpse of the trophy which Sarfaraz Ahmed lifted in 2017 at The Oval, from 16-24 November," PCB had posted on X, earlier called Twitter, on Thursday.Even though the ICC is yet to announce the final schedule of the Champions Trophy, the trophy arrived in Pakistan on Thursday for a tour of the country beginning November 16.The trophy has arrived at a time when the ICC has sought a response from the PCB on hosting the prestigious event in a hybrid model following India's refusal to travel to the country for the tournament.