Despite the uncertainty, ICC’s release of the tournament promo confirmed Pakistan as the host. “The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 Trophy Tour, delivered with DP World, will start in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday,” the ICC stated.

The ICC announced a global Trophy Tour for the Mens Champions Trophy 2025, starting in Islamabad on November 16. The tour excludes Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after BCCI objections.

Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Mohsin Naqvi met with Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board Richard Thompson in London. During the meeting, Richard Thompson expressed his best wishes to Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and the PCB for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy tournament. He said England's recent visit to Pakistan was a wonderful experience.

A statement issued on ICC’s website today read: “The popular landmarks where the trophy will be displayed on the opening day of its tour in Islamabad are Daman-e-Koh, Faisal Mosque, and the Pakistan Monument where it will be accompanied by Pakistan cricket icon Shoaib Akhtar.”

According to reports, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah had strongly objected to the move to tour the trophy of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir cities and condemned it.

“BCCI secretary Shah has objected to the PCB’s idea to hold a Champions Trophy tour in PoK. The BCCI has no problem if the tour is conducted in any other city of Pakistan or even in a stadium outside PoK or in a mall. But they cannot hold it in PoK,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying by IE.

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

Pakistan have decided against taking the Champions Trophy on tour across PoK regions, but said that the plan was approved by the ICC and they did not decide anything unilaterally, a media report claimed.

The schedule for the tournament has also been put on hold and the latest controversy could only make things complex and worse

Pakistan are the defending champions, having won the previous edition of the ICC Champions Trophy in England and Wales in 2017. The change in itinerary has come after Pakistan wanted to take the trophy for a tour to PoK.