ICC Champions Trophy Trophy Tour Begins in Islamabad Amid Route Controversy

The ICC Champions Trophy trophy tour kicked off on Saturday in Islamabad, Pakistan, but with notable changes to its original route following objections from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Initially, the trophy was scheduled to visit Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, a region that remains a point of dispute between Pakistan and India. The BCCI raised concerns over the inclusion of Muzaffarabad in the trophy's itinerary, citing political sensitivities around the region.

The objection led to delays in finalizing a new route for the tour, raising concerns that the event might be postponed altogether. However, after last-minute discussions, an alternative route was confirmed late on Friday, allowing the tour to proceed as planned. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had already announced the launch of the tour on social media, catching the ICC off guard, as protocol dictates that the global governing body typically makes such announcements.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is accompanying the trophy on its first day as it is showcased at iconic landmarks in Islamabad, including Daman-e-Koh, Faisal Mosque, and the Pakistan Monument. The trophy will then travel to various schools, colleges, and prominent sites in Abbottabad, Murree, and Karachi before continuing its international journey to the seven other countries participating in the Champions Trophy.

After completing its international tour, the trophy will return to Pakistan on January 27, just three weeks before the start of the tournament. During this time, it will visit additional venues across Pakistan as part of its final leg of the tour.

Despite the trophy tour proceeding as scheduled, significant uncertainty remains surrounding the location of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy itself. With less than 100 days until the tournament's start, there is still no clarity about whether the event will be fully hosted in Pakistan. The BCCI has informed the ICC that India’s government will not permit the team to travel to Pakistan, which has led to discussions about the possibility of a "hybrid model" tournament. This would involve India playing its matches outside Pakistan.

However, the PCB has firmly opposed this suggestion, insisting that the entire tournament should take place in Pakistan as initially planned. In response, the PCB has written to the ICC, requesting that the BCCI provide a formal written explanation of its refusal to participate in Pakistan and asking when the global governing body was first made aware of the BCCI’s position.

The tension surrounding the venue issue remains a significant point of contention as the tournament approaches, with both cricketing and political implications continuing to shape the discussions.