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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 a𝔉nd 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 Cham❀pions Tr🅰ophy 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 ve🌳nue. 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)
Breaking news:🚨
Sri Lanka A team has cancelled its tour of Pakistan as civil war lꦇike situation prevails in Is🌠lamabad, Pakistan.Hey please Organise the Champions Trophy😼 in UAE or Sri Lanka.
— Chandan Kumar (@Chandansoni22)
SRI LANKA SUSPENDS PAKISTAN TOUR
Sri Lanka A vs Pakistan A, initially scheduled in Rawalpindꦑi, 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.
— Johns (@JohnyBravo183)
Hey look at the pictures. .
Pakistan is not safe for ICC Champions Trophy.
Please arrange the outside Pakistan.Pakistan suffering from civil war.
— Satya Prakash (@_SatyaPrakash08)
"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 🧐
— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07)
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..— CoverDriveKing (@funnycric)
This is Pakistan wher🀅e ICC willing to host Champions Trophy.
This is🧔 the same Pakistani army who is responsible for the securi✃ty of the cricket players.
— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_)
Horrific scenes in Pakistan!!
Are they still deemed fit to host Champio🦩ns Trophy ?
— Himanshu Singh (@himanshuusingh_)
Hi🍨 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 ꦏfrom other teams, to…
— Statpadder (@The_statpadder)
Looking at the law and order si꧙tuation in Pakistan its best ICC moves the Champions Trophy entirely out of Pakistan. Safety of all participating nations should be the first priꦓority for ICC.
— Stanley (@stanip7)
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.
— Mufa Kohli (@MufaKohli)
Sri Lanka A 🇱🇰 will not play the last two ODIs against🔯 Pakistan A 🇵🇰 due to political activity in Islamabad.
If e𓄧ven an ‘A’ team tour faces disruptions, how can Pakistan expect to host a major event like the Champions Trophy? 🏆
— Rashmi Sawarn (@27rashmisawarn)
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 m🍰entioned to ICC & BCCI ?
— Sougat Chakraborty (@sougat18)
