ICC Revamps Title Tour For Champions Trophy In Pakistan After BCCI's Objection, POK Cities Dropped

Cities in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) found no mention in Champions Trophy tour unveiled by ICC on Saturday as world body moved in swiftly to have m dropped from host country's itinerary following India's strong objection.

Trophy Tour will now comprise Karachi, Rawalpindi and Islamab, apart from Abbottab in Khyber Pakhtunwala Region.

Trophy Tour starts in Islamab, capital city of Pakistan, and will travel to or cities of nation -- Taxila and Khanpur (November 17), Abbottab (November 18), Murree (November 19) and Nathia Gali (November 20) before concluding in Karachi (November 22-25). Most of se cities are tourist attractions, Earlier, on November 14, PCB h announced Trophy Tour, which included cities like Skardu, Hunza and Muzaffarab, which fall in PoK region, a disputed territory between India and Pakistan.

PTI reported on Friday that Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah h raised strong objections with ICC to PCB's Trophy Tour plans in PoK region.

However, global body took swift action to eliminate those cities from tour as revealed on Saturday.

Following Trophy Tour in Pakistan, it will tour Afghanistan (November 26-28), followed by Banglesh (December 10-13), South Africa (December 15-22), Australia (December 25-January 5), New Zealand (January 6-11), England (January 12-14) and India (January 15-26).

cities for Trophy Tour outside Pakistan will be announced in due course.

"A series of physical and digital engagements traversing iconic destinations, sporting events and key battles in international cricket calendar form Trophy Tour schedule, during which fans will also be treated to a content series titled ‘Champion on Tour’ that will document Trophy Tour’s journey around world through lens of food, music and cricket," ICC said in a release.

Pakistan is defending champion of event, having won title at Oval in London in 2017, defeating India in final.

As for this edition, India has reportedly denied travelling to Pakistan for tournament, and ICC is working with PCB to find a possible solution to it, including hosting it in a hybrid model or shifting competition out of Pakistan, possibly United Arab Emirates (UAE) or South Africa.

Sources in PCB yesterday said trophy tour was planned in consultation and with approval of ICC and it was not a unilateral decision of PCB.

“If y h issues y should have notified PCB immediately before announcing trophy tour. Anyways PCB as hosts and commercial partners of ICC is cooperating as always with m,” anor source said.

trophy would now be taken to Islamab, Taxila, Abbottab, Murree, Nathiagali and Karachi with trophy tour ending on November 22.