The objection resulted in a delay in finalizing a new itinerary, increasing the likelihood of a total tour delay. The PCB had announced the launch and route of the tour on its social media on Thursday, taking the ICC by surprise; As this is an ICC event, protocol dictates that the world body announce these details.
But an alternative route was finalized on Friday evening, allowing the tour to begin, as originally planned and announced by the PCB, from Saturday. Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will accompany the trophy on the first day as it will be displayed at well-known landmarks in the capital including Daman-e-Koh, Faisal Mosque and Pakistan Monument.
From Islamabad, the trophy will visit schools, colleges and monuments in Abbottabad, Murree and Karachi in the first leg before leaving for an international tour, including the other seven countries that are part of the Champions Trophy.
The trophy then returns to Pakistan on January 27, three weeks before the tournament is scheduled to begin, with another tour of venues across Pakistan.
The PCB has written to the ICC requesting the BCCI to put in writing the exact reasons for its inability to attend, as well as asking the ICC when it was informed of the BCCI’s decision.
