Champions Trophy 2025: ICC must consider moving CT out of Pakistan as political violence goes out of control

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Champions Trophy 2025: Visuals emanating from Pakistan are scary and intimidating. On the one hand are pictures of unfinished venues for the Champions Trophy, to be hosted by the rogue state in 2025. More important, there is a massive upheaval in the country as Pakistani security forces raided supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

According to news reports, over 55,000 supporters of the Pathan legend, also their former cricket captain, forced their way into Islamabad, demanding his release. He is in jail due to political vendetta. Interestingly, the protests are being led by his wife Bushra Bibi, who was also in jail till recently.

By all accounts, the law and order situation in Pakistan has collapsed. To storm the Capital of Islamabad after much resistance, now the demand is Imran is released from jail, as he is being treated shabbily there. Each visual from Pakistan of how protesters from his political party braved the security layers, some shot at, some injured, are scary. A few Pakistani journalists themselves confessed to mykhel, the situation is not good and if the Capital has become a battleground of sorts, then cricket is last priority.

On Tuesday, a Sri Lankan 'A’ side had talked to the Pakistan Cricket Board and cancelled their team’s tour due to the political situation. After all, it was the Sri Lankan team which had faced a terror attack in Pakistan way back in 2008. After that, many countries had refused to travel to Pakistan for years before 'normalcy’ was restored.

However, India have steadfast refused to travel to Pakistan for cricket as it is a rogue state which perpetuates terror. The palpable sense of outrage on Tuesday, the anniversary of 26/11 in Mumbai, has also stirred the emotions of Indians at home and abroad as to how there was a Pakistan hand in storming Mumbai and perpetuating terror.

All this becomes important again as the fate of the Champions Trophy is to be sealed. Incomplete stadia are just one part. Even if Pakistan assures it can complete it, how will other cricketing nations trust the rogue state. So, now, it is not only India which has refused travel to Pakistan, since the Sri Lankans have aborted their tour. Definitely, a few other nations which had issued in September 2024 travel advisories against visiting Pakistan will also be afraid of what is in store in Pakistan.

Add to it an ICC (International Cricket Council) meeting scheduled to be held in Dubai on November 29, it is not just a hybrid model which will be discussed. The ICC will have to talk to other nations, which has been suggested, and move forward. They will need to keep a Plan B in place as well. If travel to Pakistan is unsafe, cricketers will not want to risk their lives nor will other national cricket boards support a Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The latest fear is even those nations which had said 'yes’ to travel to Pakistan will now have second thoughts.

On December 1, Jay Shah, son of Indian Union Home Minister Amit Shah will take over as ICC chairman. Whether the fate of the Champions Trophy can be decided before that is not known. In just two days, Pakistan has become worse and assault on protesters is scary. There is anarchy at present, and this is not the time to think of holding any cricket there.

The Champions Trophy surely needs to be played in a safer country. As in the past, the United Arab Emirates could again come into focus as hosts. Today, no country will travel to Pakistan for cricket, a harsh reality. All talk of a hybrid model now become more obsolete as political uncertainty is massive in Pakistan.