ICC Champions Trophy arrives in Islamabad for nationwide tour

ISLAMABAD: The ICC Champions Trophy has arrived in Islamabad from Dubai, beginning its tour across Pakistan ahead of the tournament next year, here on Thursday.

As per the details, the trophy tour will begin in Skardu on November 16, 2024, and will continue until November 24. After Skardu, the trophy will be taken to K2 Base Camp, one of the most popular destinations in Pakistan. The other cities included in the tour will be those hosting Champions Trophy matches.

This is the first time that the Champions Trophy tour has begun without releasing the full tournament schedule. Usually, the ICC announces the schedule for major tournaments four months in advance, but this time the schedule is still pending. For example, the schedule for the men’s T20 World Cup 2024 was announced in January, while the schedule for the men’s ODI World Cup 2023 was revealed in June.

The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025. The full schedule of the tournament was originally expected to be revealed in Lahore on 11 November 2024. However, the announcement has been delayed due to uncertainty surrounding India’s participation. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not confirmed its participation, which has prevented the ICC from finalizing and releasing the schedule.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made it clear that they will not back down from their stance despite the ongoing delays.

As the trophy passes through Pakistan, cricket fans across the country are eagerly awaiting its arrival. The tour is not only a celebration of the return of cricket to Pakistan but also an opportunity to showcase the country’s rich sporting culture and love for the game.