Cricket’s Champions Trophy Trophy Tour Kicks Off in Pakistan Amid Dispute Over Venue
The highly anticipated trophy tour for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy has begun, with the first stop in Islamabad, Pakistan. However, the tour’s original route, which included Muzaffarabad – the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, a territory disputed by India and Pakistan – has been revised following objections from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Revised Route and Launch
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had announced the launch and route of the trophy tour on its social media channels on Thursday, catching the ICC by surprise. As the Champions Trophy is an ICC event, the global body typically handles the announcement of such details. But an alternative route was finalized late on Friday, allowing the tour to commence as originally planned by the PCB.
Showcasing the Trophy
Cricket legend Shoaib Akhtar will accompany the trophy on the first day, showcasing it at well-known landmarks in the capital, including Daman-e-Koh, Faisal Mosque, and the Pakistan Monument. From Islamabad, the trophy will then travel to schools, colleges, and landmarks in Abbottabad, Murree, and Karachi before heading off on an international tour, visiting the seven other countries participating in the Champions Trophy.
Uncertainty Surrounding the Venue
The trophy is slated to return to Pakistan on January 27, three weeks before the scheduled start of the tournament, for another tour of venues around the country. However, with less than 100 days until the event, there remains no clarity on how much of the Champions Trophy will actually be played in Pakistan.
“The BCCI has informed the ICC that the Indian government will not allow the team to play in Pakistan, raising the possibility of a ‘hybrid model’ tournament where India plays its matches outside of Pakistan.”
The PCB has firmly opposed this possibility, insisting that the entire tournament be hosted in Pakistan. The PCB has written to the ICC, requesting the BCCI to provide the exact reasons for its inability to visit Pakistan, as well as seeking clarity on when the ICC was informed of the BCCI’s decision.
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