ICC Champions Trophy 2025: The show goes on despite cloud of uncertainty

Even as the fate of the elite eight-nation contest remains in jeopardy, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour officially commenced in Pakistan on Tuesday, November 19, marking the beginning of its journey across the nation.

The final stop of the Pakistan leg will take place in Karachi, starting Wednesday.

Pakistan is scheduled to host the tournament in Feb-March next year but the event remains in doubt after India’s refusal to send its team to Pakistan. The issue has snowballed into a major controversy with Pakistan refusing to agree to a so-called ‘hybrid model’ which could allow India to play it’s matches on a neutral venue, mostly probably in the UAE.

While the deadlock persists, the show goes on with the tour of the Champions Trophy across iconic venues in Pakistan.

The tour began with the trophy being showcased in Islamabad, Taxila, Murree and Khanpur.

A video shared by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on social media highlights the trophy's travels across Pakistan, where it was also held by prominent Pakistan cricketers Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf.

The trophy will be on display in Karachi starting on Thursday.

Upon its arrival on Wednesday, the trophy will be taken to a local hotel and will remain in Karachi until November 25.

The trophy will be displayed at iconic locations in Karachi such as Mazar-e-Quaid, Mohatta Palace Museum, and the National Bank Stadium. The Champions Trophy will be also be on display to the public at private educational institutions.

Next stop

After concluding its Pakistan leg, the trophy will head to Afghanistan on November 26 and remain there until November 28.

Following Afghanistan, the trophy will travel to Bangladesh from December 10 to 13, South Africa from December 15 to 22, Australia from December 25 to January 5, 2025, New Zealand from January 6 to 11, 2025, and England from January 12 to 14.

The final destination of the world tour will be India, where the trophy will be on display from January 15 to 26, 2025.

Shadab Khan was part of the Pakistan squad that won the last Champions Trophy in 2017.PCB

After completing its global tour, the trophy will return to Pakistan, where the tournament will be held from February 19.

The tour initially began in Islamabad, with stops at landmarks like Daman-e-Koh, Faisal Masjid, and the Pakistan Monument Museum. The trophy was also taken to several educational institutions and cultural sites.

Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced plans to include Skardu, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad in the tour. However, the ICC revised the itinerary following objections raised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).