November 15, 2024: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially canceled the planned Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour in several cities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following objections from India. The tour was part of a promotional campaign leading up to the eight-team tournament, set to be held in Pakistan in February and March 2025.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had initially announced a nationwide trophy tour, scheduled from November 16 to 24, which was to include stops in Skardu, Murree, and Muzaffarabad—regions that are part of the disputed territory of PoK. However, the inclusion of these cities quickly sparked a strong response from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which raised concerns over the political implications of the tour in these regions.

In response to the objections, the ICC has instructed the PCB to remove PoK from the itinerary, effectively canceling the planned stops in these areas. The decision underscores the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan over the status of Kashmir, which has been a flashpoint in the two countries' relations for decades.

The ICC's move comes at a time when the future of the 2025 Champions Trophy itself is clouded in uncertainty, largely due to India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. The PCB has written to the ICC requesting clarification on India's stance, seeking an official explanation for its position. The PCB's letter, however, does not address the possibility of a hybrid model for the event, which could involve matches being played in neutral locations.

The BCCI's opposition to the tournament being held in Pakistan has left the tournament's logistics in limbo. Meanwhile, the PCB has already invested heavily—allocating nearly 17 billion rupees—towards upgrading stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, anticipating that India would eventually participate or send its team to Pakistan.

The cancellation of the PoK leg of the trophy tour and the ongoing diplomatic impasse signal a deeper divide between the cricketing boards of India and Pakistan, casting doubt on the smooth execution of the 2025 Champions Trophy. The PCB is now awaiting further guidance from the ICC, with the situation likely to remain fluid as both countries navigate the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the tournament.