On Saturday, November 16, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced a revised schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy tour via a statement on its official website. Notably, the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) regions, which were part of the original schedule released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), have been removed.
The PCB had initially released the schedule on Friday, November 15, including cities in PoK such as Skardu, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad. Reports indicated that Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), strongly objected to these inclusions.
Some sources also claimed that the PCB had failed to consult the ICC or other stakeholders before finalizing the schedule. In response to the controversy, the ICC issued a revised tour itinerary, with the tour now starting in Islamabad on Saturday, and additional stops planned in Karachi, Abbottabad, and Taxila.
According to the official schedule, the prestigious trophy will travel across the eight participating nations during the tour. The Pakistan leg will conclude on November 25, after which the trophy will visit Afghanistan, Bangladesh, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, England, and, ultimately, India.
Excitement for the upcoming Men's Champions Trophy 2025 builds up, as the Trophy Tour kicks off in Islamabad 🎉https://t.co/QfQJesYVRf
— ICC (@ICC) November 16, 2024
At the launch event for the 2025 Champions Trophy tour, Anurag Dahiya, ICC’s Chief Commercial Officer, remarked:
“We are delighted to launch the Trophy Tour with DP World ahead of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy, where another action-packed programme of activity is available to fans across the world.”
“The silverware, which will be showcased across all participating nations, will allow the sport’s passionate fan base to enjoy the unforgettable experience of being up close with the iconic trophy,” Dahiya went on to add.
While the ICC has confirmed the revised 2025 Champions Trophy tour schedule, uncertainty still surrounds the tournament. India has stated they will not travel to Pakistan for the event, while the PCB is opposed to hosting it in a hybrid format.
Important Dates for the 2025 Champions Trophy Tour
November 16: Islamabad, Pakistan
November 17: Taxila and Khanpur, Pakistan
November 18: Abbottabad, Pakistan
November 19: Murree, Pakistan
November 20: Nathia Gali, Pakistan
November 22-25: Karachi, Pakistan
November 26-28: Afghanistan
December 10-13: Bangladesh
December 15-22: South Africa
December 25-January 5: Australia
January 6-11: New Zealand
January 12-14: England
January 15-26: India
January 27: Event starts (Pakistan)
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