NEW DELHI: BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has raised a strong objection to Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) proposal to host ICC Champions Trophy matches in cities located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Shah, who also chairs the Asian Cricket Council, has expressed his concerns to the ICC, citing potential political and security implications of such a decision.
The Champions Trophy, set to take place in 2025, has already been awarded to Pakistan as the host nation. However, reports suggesting plans to host matches in PoK cities like Muzaffarabad have sparked controversy. “Hosting matches in PoK is an unacceptable proposition,” Shah reportedly conveyed, highlighting the region’s disputed status and the potential for such a move to provoke diplomatic tensions.
India has consistently maintained its stance against any international cricketing events in PoK, asserting the region as an integral part of its sovereign territory. Shah’s objection aligns with this position, emphasizing the need for ICC tournaments to avoid venues that could escalate political sensitivities.
The PCB has yet to respond to Shah’s statement, but the matter could potentially be addressed during the ICC board meetings. Meanwhile, the situation has sparked debate within cricketing circles about the intersection of sports and geopolitics, with calls for the ICC to ensure that hosting decisions align with broader considerations of regional stability.
