ICC Champions Trophy arrives in Islamabad, tour to begin in Skardu

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has brought the Champions Trophy from Dubai to Islamabad as Pakistan gears up to host the 2025 edition of the tournament. According to the ICC's timeline, the trophy tour will begin on November 16, starting from the scenic Skardu Valley and eventually covering major Pakistani cities where Champions Trophy matches are set to be held.

Following its showcase in Skardu, the trophy will embark on a symbolic journey across Pakistan, with its next stops at the K2 Base Camp, Murree, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad. The tour, which will conclude on November 24, is part of the ICC’s efforts to build excitement for the Champions Trophy, set to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025.

This year’s tour has raised eyebrows, as it begins without an official tournament schedule—a first in ICC history. Traditionally, the ICC announces tournament schedules months in advance, as seen with the Men's T20 World Cup 2024 and the Men's ODI World Cup 2023, whose schedules were shared four and three months before the tournaments, respectively.

The Champions Trophy schedule was initially expected to be revealed on November 11 in Lahore, where all of India’s matches were proposed to take place. However, India’s reluctance to play in Pakistan has led to delays, leaving the ICC unable to finalize and announce the schedule.