BCCI objects to PCB over the inclusion of the controversially claimed PoK in the Champions Trophy tour

The BCCI strongly objected to the PCB’s inclusion of the controversially claimed region in the Champions Trophy tour, saying it was “not acceptable.”

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has objected to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s plan to tour the Champions Trophy to the controversially claimed region of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The BCCI has said, “Not acceptable.”

BCCI objects to PCB over the inclusion of the controversially-claimed PoK in the CT Tour.

There is already an ongoing controversy surrounding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which seems to have now been intensified with another one, following objections raised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the planned tour of the Champions Trophy to the controversially-claimed region called Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). This has further cast uncertainty over the competition, which is already facing several logistical and diplomatic challenges.

What is the recent controversy regarding the Champions Trophy?

The controversy erupted after PCB announced that the Champions Trophy silverware would embark on a tour of Pakistan starting November 16. The tour would have several key locations, including Hunza, Muzaffarabad, and Skardu in PoK. The PCB also highlighted these scenic destinations on its official social media platforms. The planned tour for CT was intended to culminate in a visit to K2, which is the world’s 2nd highest peak.

The Champions Trophy tour met with strong opposition from the BCCI.

The Champions Trophy tour has been met with strong opposition from the BCCI. As per a report on Cricbuzz, Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary and incoming ICC Chair, expressed strong disapproval of the proposed itinerary, particularly the inclusion of PoK, a highly sensitive region. According to the BCCI, the visit to PoK was “not acceptable” to the Indian board, prompting them to lodge a formal protest with the ICC.

In response to the BCCI’s opposition, PCB has been forced to reconsider the tour’s locations. One critical possible solution is to limit the tour to major hosting cities in Pakistan, such as Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, which weren’t on the list originally due to weather concerns.