BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has strongly condemned the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to include Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the ICC Champions Trophy trophy tour. Citing sources, news agency ANI reported that Shah raised objections to this move by PCB, emphasizing its implications on regional integrity and the politicization of sports. He has reportedly brought this issue to the attention of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and urged appropriate action to address these concerns.
PCB’s Controversial Move
On Thursday, PCB announced plans for a trophy tour ahead of the Champions Trophy, which is set to begin on November 16 and conclude on November 24. However, controversy erupted as the tour includes regions like Skardu, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad, all part of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, apart from Murree. This decision has drawn sharp criticism as these locations were deliberately highlighted in PCB’s official announcement, which stated, “Get ready, Pakistan! The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour kicks off in Islamabad on November 16 and will visit Skardu, Murree, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad.
“Political Backdrop to the Decision
The move is being seen as a response to India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The BCCI had already communicated to the ICC that the Indian government advised against the national team playing in Pakistan. The ICC, in turn, informed PCB of this decision. In apparent frustration, PCB seems to have opted for this provocative step of including PoK in the trophy tour.
The controversy surrounding this decision highlights the ongoing tensions between the cricket boards of India and Pakistan, as well as the broader geopolitical issues between the two nations.
