Former Pakistan Test captain Moin Khan remarked on the incongruity of the trophy tour without a set schedule, echoing fans’ anticipation for clarity on the tournament’s plans. Former Pakistan Cricketer Moin Khan questioned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding the Champions Trophy, which will be held in Pakistan without clarity on the schedule and venues for the tournament.
The tournament was reported to be held from February 19 and March 9, though there is no official confirmation. As BCCI has denied to send Indian team to Pakistan and have requested a neutral venue, PCB has currently stated that they don’t want any games to be held outside the country. Amid all the drama, the trophy tour is all set to begin in Pakistan from November 16 (Saturday). As per PTI, the trophy tour will begin from Skardu in northern Pakistan.
The ICC Champions Trophy begins its tour in Pakistan amidst uncertainty over venues
The ICC’s Champions Trophy has embarked on a tour of Pakistan but lacks a final schedule. The event faces challenges as India refuses to compete in the country, creating uncertainty. The trophy tour aims to build excitement ahead of the tournament, set for early next year. The Champions Trophy, launched on a tour of Pakistan by the International Cricket Council (ICC), is navigating challenges, with no final schedule announced for the tournament.
The ICC trophy was brought to Pakistan to build anticipation despite India’s refusal to travel to the country for the event. This has left questions about where the matches will be played and if the traditional rivals will face off. However former Pakistan captain Moin Khan has questioned the decision of this trophy tour as the decision for the venue of the tournament remains uncertain.
Pakistan legend Moin Khan questions Champions Trophy 2025 tour amid uncertainty over schedule, venues
Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan has questioned the logic of the 2025 Champions Trophy tour taking place without any clarity over the venues and the overall schedule. He said that fans are eager to know when and where the tournament will take place.
The latest edition of the Champions Trophy was scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9. However, India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan has put question marks over the future of the ICC event. While India reportedly want to play their matches at a different venue in a hybrid model, the Pakistan Cricket Board is adamant about no games being held outside the country.
Amid the standoff, the trophy tour is all set to begin in Pakistan from Saturday, November 16. News agency PTI quoted a PCB official as saying that the trophy tour will begin from Skardu in northern Pakistan.
“The tour will cover major Pakistani cities where the Champions Trophy matches are set to be played,” the official said.
Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan, though, described the development as strange, considering all the uncertainty over the organization of the event.
“What is the purpose of this trophy tour when no one really knows at which venues the tournament will be held and whether Pakistan and India will play against each other in the event?,” he wondered.
“Strange having a trophy tour without the schedule being announced,” the former Pakistan keeper-batter, who was a member of the 1992 World Cup-winning squad, added.
PCB had shortlisted Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi as the venues for the Champions Trophy much before the controversy over India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the ODI event.
Meanwhile, the trophy was supposed to be unveiled in Lahore earlier this month but the ceremony had to be postponed in the wake of India’s opposition to travel to Pakistan and also because of smog. As per reports, the trophy was finally brought to Islamabad from Dubai on Thursday by the ICC officials. The trophy tour will conclude on November 24.
No back channel diplomacy with India over Champions Trophy: Pakistan Foreign Office
In a related development, Pakistan’s Foreign Office has made it clear that no back channel diplomacy is going on with India, following their refusal to send their cricket team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
“There is no back channel with India to specifically discuss the Champions Trophy and bilateral Cricket between Pakistan and India,” said Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, spokesperson of Foreign Office [as quoted by news agency PTI].
“Pakistan has always said that sports should not be politicized,” she added.
Baloch also confirmed that the PCB is in contact with the ICC and is discussing the arrangements, including participation of different teams in the 2025 Champions Trophy. For the record, the Indian cricket hasn’t visited Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008.