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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has put on hold the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour to Pakistan, citing strong objections from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The tour was initially scheduled to kick off in Islamabad on November 16th, and was set to include visits to various picturesque destinations within Pakistan, including Skardu, Murree, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad.
The BCCI's objection centers on the tour's planned visit to Muzaffarabad, a city located in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (commonly referred to as Pakistan-administered Kashmir or PoK), a region claimed by both India and Pakistan. The BCCI has long maintained that any official engagement with Pakistan that includes PoK is unacceptable, and this stance has repeatedly led to tensions between the two cricketing giants.
The ICC, recognizing the delicate nature of the situation, has opted to suspend the trophy tour until further notice. This decision underscores the political complexities that often intertwine with international sporting events, particularly between countries with longstanding territorial disputes. The ICC's move is likely aimed at avoiding further escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, and potentially safeguarding the integrity of the Champions Trophy itself.
While the ICC has indicated that the tour remains in limbo, it's unclear when or if it will be revived. The BCCI's unwavering stance on PoK makes it difficult to foresee a scenario where the tour can proceed without facing strong opposition from India. The incident further highlights the intricate relationship between sports and politics, and the potential for diplomatic disagreements to spill over into the sporting arena.
Source: Champions Trophy: ICC puts PCB's PoK tour on hold after BCCI's strong objection