November 15, 2024: BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has expressed strong condemnation of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to hold the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy trophy tour in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Shah raised the issue with the International Cricket Council (ICC), urging the governing body to take action in light of India’s concerns over territorial integrity and the political implications of such a move.
The PCB announced on Thursday that the Champions Trophy trophy tour, set to promote the upcoming 2025 tournament, would begin in Islamabad and include stops in several regions within PoJK, including Skardu, Murree, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad. This move has sparked a political controversy, with India strongly objecting to any activities in regions it considers an integral part of its territory.
BCCI’s Objection and Jay Shah’s Statement
According to sources, Shah conveyed India’s disapproval of the PCB’s decision to include PoJK in the Champions Trophy tour and urged the ICC to intervene. The BCCI secretary emphasized that the territorial dispute between India and Pakistan over Jammu and Kashmir should not spill over into the realm of international sports. He called on the ICC to address the matter promptly and ensure that political issues do not interfere with the integrity of the tournament.
Concerns Over India’s Participation in Champions Trophy
The controversy surrounding the tour has intensified concerns over India’s participation in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral cricket series since 2012-13, with both teams only meeting in ICC events or the Asia Cup. India has made it clear that it will not travel to Pakistan for the tournament, citing security concerns. This latest development only adds to the complexities surrounding the event.
India’s Position on the Champions Trophy
India’s decision not to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy has already been communicated to the ICC, with BCCI informing the cricketing body that the Government of India has advised against sending the team to Pakistan due to security issues. As a result, there is growing uncertainty about how the tournament will proceed.
Sources confirmed that the ICC has officially acknowledged India’s position and is exploring alternative options, including the possibility of a hybrid model. Under this plan, India would play its matches at a neutral venue, while the rest of the tournament would take place in Pakistan. A similar arrangement was adopted for the 2023 Asia Cup, where India played its matches in Sri Lanka while the rest of the tournament was hosted by Pakistan.
PCB’s Response and Diplomatic Tensions
In response to India’s stance, the PCB has written to the ICC asking for clarification on India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan. The PCB has also pointed out that Pakistan’s cricket team visited India for the 2023 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, and they hoped for a reciprocal gesture from India. However, the issue of security remains a major sticking point, with both sides maintaining their positions.
Looking Ahead: The Role of the ICC
The ICC now faces a difficult task. On one hand, it must ensure the integrity and smooth running of the Champions Trophy, a major international tournament, while on the other, it must navigate the sensitive political environment between India and Pakistan. It remains to be seen how the ICC will respond to the situation and whether a hybrid model or an alternative solution will be adopted to resolve the impasse.
As the political tensions continue to simmer, the cricketing world is left waiting for a resolution that will allow the 2025 Champions Trophy to proceed without further controversy.
