The International Cricket Council (ICC) officially launched the global Trophy Tour for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 on Saturday, marking the beginning of its journey in Islamabad. The iconic silverware will travel through the eight participating nations before returning to Pakistan, the tournament host and defending champions, on January 27, 2025.
The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, with India, the runners-up in the previous edition, refusing to travel to Pakistan for the event. This has left the future of the tournament uncertain, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) rejecting the “hybrid model” used for last year’s Asia Cup, in which some matches were held in Dubai.
In its initial plans, the PCB had listed several northern towns—Murree, Hunza, Skardu, and Muzaffarabad in Azad Jammu and Kashmir—as potential venues for the trophy displays. However, the ICC’s official itinerary includes only Murree, along with six other locations in Pakistan.
The Trophy Tour will kick off in Islamabad, where it will be showcased at landmark locations such as Daman-e-Koh, Faisal Mosque, and the Pakistan Monument, with former cricket star Shoaib Akhtar joining the celebrations. After its time in the capital, the tour will move on to several iconic cities and venues across Pakistan, including Karachi, Abbottabad, and Taxila, before returning to Pakistan on January 27, 2025.
The ICC’s itinerary includes both physical and digital engagements across key locations, featuring sporting events and international cricket’s major moments.
ICC Chief Commercial Officer, Anurag Dahiya, commented on the tour’s global reach, saying: “We are excited to partner with DP World to bring the Champions Trophy to fans worldwide. This Trophy Tour will provide an unforgettable experience for cricket enthusiasts as they get up close to the iconic silverware.”
Key Dates for the Trophy Tour:
- November 16 — Islamabad, Pakistan
- November 17 — Taxila and Khanpur, Pakistan
- November 18 — Abbottabad, Pakistan
- November 19 — Murree, Pakistan
- November 20 — Nathia Gali, Pakistan
- November 22-25 — Karachi, Pakistan
- November 26-28 — Afghanistan
- December 10-13 — Bangladesh
- December 15-22 — South Africa
- December 25-January 5 — Australia
- January 6-11 — New Zealand
- January 12-14 — England
- January 15-26 — India
- January 27 (Event Starts) — Pakistan
PCB Chairman Meets ECB Counterpart
In related news, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met with Richard Thompson, his counterpart from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), on Saturday. The ECB chief expressed his best wishes for the Champions Trophy, following England’s recent Test series victory in Pakistan.
Thompson praised the quality of Pakistan’s hospitality during the series and thanked Naqvi for the “excellent arrangements.” Naqvi assured that Pakistan was fully prepared for the Champions Trophy, with “fool-proof” arrangements in place at all levels. He also highlighted the ongoing upgrades to stadiums, which would meet modern standards, ensuring a world-class experience for guest teams.
