PCB Breaks Tradition: No Free Passes for ICC Champions Trophy

For the first time, the Pakistan Cricket Board is not issuing free passes for the ICC Champions Trophy, breaking from its long-standing tradition. This change is due to the International Cricket Council's control over the tournament's ticketing, resulting in complaints from those accustomed to complimentary access.

In a surprising move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided not to distribute free passes during the ICC Champions Trophy, a significant shift from its routine practice for international series hosted in Pakistan.

The PCB usually allocates free tickets to various stakeholders, including media personnel, government officials, VIPs, and sponsors. However, this time, an official source revealed that only a handful of tickets are reserved for the PCB Chairman's personal guests and sponsors, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) controls all ticketing for the tournament.

The decision has put PCB officials in a difficult position as they face pressure from government departments and VVIPs expecting free passes. Despite past instances, such as during the 2004 India tour of Pakistan, where free passes were eventually issued under pressure, the current tournament sees every spectator in the enclosures as a paying customer.

(With inputs from agencies.)