Pakistan are expected to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in February, but recent violent protests in Islamabad have cast doubts over the country’s preparedness. The protests, which escalated on Tuesday, have already disrupted ongoing cricketing events, prompting the Sri Lanka A team to leave Pakistan midway through their tour. As a result, the Sri Lanka A team will not play the last two 50-over matches against Pakistan Shaheens.
BCCI’s stance on security concerns strengthened
The protests in Islamabad have further fueled the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) concerns regarding security. The BCCI had earlier informed the ICC that Team India would not travel to Pakistan and advocated for their matches to be played at a neutral venue. These recent developments provide additional weight to India’s position, creating significant challenges for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
ICC to convene meeting for final decision
Further, media reports have also claimed that the ICC has scheduled a virtual board meeting for Friday, November 29, to address the situation and make a conclusive decision. While the PCB has opposed the idea of a hybrid model, reports suggest the ICC may consider hosting 10 matches in Pakistan and five, including the semifinal and final, in another country. This decision will likely be binding on all member boards.
Also WATCH: Suryakumar Yadav clarifies India’s stance on visiting Pakistan amidst Champions Trophy 2025 concerns
Netizens request ICC to relocate Champions Trophy
Meanwhile, the political turmoil in Pakistan has sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with numerous fans urging the ICC to relocate the Champions Trophy to a safer venue. On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), netizens expressed their concerns and called for decisive action to ensure the safety of players and staff involved in the tournament.
Here is how netizens reacted:
Looking at visuals from Pakistan of the (civil) protests, and that it may turn more violent, PCB will have nothing on the ICC table on Nov 29th now. Leave India, could there not be others who would be concerned about the unrest there?
A Hybrid Champions Trophy will now be their…— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) November 26, 2024
Breaking news:🚨
Sri Lanka A team has cancelled its tour of Pakistan as civil war like situation prevails in Islamabad, Pakistan.Hey @icc please Organise the Champions Trophy in UAE or Sri Lanka.#championstrophy #CT25#PTIProtestIslamabad pic.twitter.com/j7FMECHHNw
— Chandan Kumar (@Chandansoni22) November 26, 2024
SRI LANKA SUSPENDS PAKISTAN TOUR
Sri Lanka A vs Pakistan A, initially scheduled in Rawalpindi, got shifted to Islamabad and now completely suspended due to security reasons.
ICC must take notice and shift the entire Champions Trophy out of Pakistan for everyone’s safety. pic.twitter.com/uAdrQuirJE
— Johns (@JohnyBravo183) November 26, 2024
Hey @ICC look at the pictures. .
Pakistan is not safe for ICC Champions Trophy.
Please arrange the #championtrophy2025 outside Pakistan.Pakistan suffering from civil war. #CT25 pic.twitter.com/Uf0MJghXKk
— Satya Prakash (@_SatyaPrakash08) November 26, 2024
“Shoot at Sight” orders 😯
What is happening in Pakistan 🇵🇰 ??👉🏻 If situation gets out of control in Pakistan, then Champions Trophy 2025 will be shifted from Pakistan, let’s see 🧐pic.twitter.com/v4FNUlkfCH
— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) November 26, 2024
Huge unrest broke out in Islamabad , Pakistan …
The two matches with Sri Lanka A team has been postponed…
The complete Champions Trophy me be shifted to other venue..pic.twitter.com/YE7JWhyMqG— CoverDriveKing (@funnycric) November 27, 2024
This is Pakistan where ICC willing to host Champions Trophy.
This is the same Pakistani army who is responsible for the security of the cricket players.#ChampionsTrophy2025pic.twitter.com/v4BBgbghTB
— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) November 27, 2024
Horrific scenes in Pakistan!!
Are they still deemed fit to host Champions Trophy ?— Himanshu Singh (@himanshuusingh_) November 26, 2024
Hi @ICC Given the current situation in Pakistan, and considering the PCB chairman’s statement regarding player security, kindly acknowledge that the Champions Trophy should not be held under the hybrid model. It is not safe for Indian players, or players from other teams, to… pic.twitter.com/JYqLqXhQWA
— Statpadder (@The_statpadder) November 26, 2024
Looking at the law and order situation in Pakistan its best ICC moves the Champions Trophy entirely out of Pakistan. Safety of all participating nations should be the first priority for ICC.
— Stanley (@stanip7) November 27, 2024
Islamabad is burning!!
ICC should take strict action due to security in Pakistan. Champions Trophy in Pakistan will not be considered safe for all teams hence must be conducted out of Pakistan at a safe place.
pic.twitter.com/pnEEEXbRXi— Mufa Kohli (@MufaKohli) November 27, 2024
Sri Lanka A 🇱🇰 will not play the last two ODIs against Pakistan A 🇵🇰 due to political activity in Islamabad.
If even an ‘A’ team tour faces disruptions, how can Pakistan expect to host a major event like the Champions Trophy? 🏆 #CT25 pic.twitter.com/3IxUh6iPuf
— Rashmi Sawarn (@27rashmisawarn) November 27, 2024
And PCB wanted Indian cricket team to visit to play champions trophy when their nation’s capital looks like a war zone? This is the levels of safety which the PCB chief had mentioned to ICC & BCCI ? https://t.co/FskozsMQzZ
— Sougat Chakraborty (@sougat18) November 27, 2024
