NEW DELHI, Nov 19: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is learnt to have rejected India’s demand to hold the Champions Trophy in a hybrid model with India’s matches being played outside Pakistan and has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to place before the PCB its concerns about sending the Indian team to Pakistan to play the matches there.
The PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday said he was yet to get a response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) over BCCI’s refusal to play the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Earlier this month, the BCCI made it clear to the ICC that it won’t send the national team to Pakistan and wanted its games to be held in a third country. PCB has rejected the hybrid model and has sought clarity from the ICC on why India doesn’t want to travel to Pakistan.
India has not played in Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The ICC event is scheduled in February-March. “If India has any concerns about sending their team to Pakistan they must talk to us and we will remove them. I don’t think there is any reason for India not to come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy,” Naqvi told reporters.
According to media reports, Naqvi also said there was no question of following hybrid model, something that the BCCI has advocated. “Pakistan’s pride and respect is our priority. Champions Trophy will take place in our country only, we will not accept Hybrid Model. If India has any issues, they can come to us and we will sort them out,” Naqvi said while addressing the media outside Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
“We stand firm on our stance that we will not go for a hybrid model. We’re waiting for the ICC to announce the schedule as soon as possible,” he added. Naqvi, who is also the federal interior minister, confirmed the PCB had sent a letter to the ICC on the BCCI’s decision to not send its team to Pakistan. “We are directly interacting with the ICC and we are still waiting for a response from them so we can take things forward,” he said.
Asked if the matter would be complicated further after Jay Shah takes over as ICC chairman on December 1, Naqvi said: “Things don’t work like this, every board is independent and has its own say and I think the ICC must also think about its credibility as it represents all cricket boards of the world.”
The uncertainty over holding the Champions Trophy following India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan, however, is likely to be removed by the end of this week when the ICC was expected to finalise and announce the dates and schedule of the tournament to be held in February – March, 2025.
India, one of the eight participating nations, have refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, citing government restrictions. The BCCI has conveyed its position to the ICC, leaving the PCB seeking an explanation for India’s stance.
In response, the PCB is reportedly considering escalating the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if a resolution is not reached. The PCB remains firm on its position to host the event in Pakistan in its entirety, resisting any compromise formula similar to those seen during the 2023 Asia Cup and ODI World Cup.
During the 2023 Asia Cup, the PCB reluctantly agreed to a hybrid model, with India’s matches being held in Sri Lanka. Later, during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, Pakistan participated despite strong reservations from their government. These instances highlight the political and logistical complexities that could once again come into play.
Amidst the uncertainty, the ICC has initiated the Trophy Tour for Champions Trophy 2025 to build excitement for the tournament. The tour began on Saturday in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, where the iconic silverware was displayed at several landmarks. The ICC is working to resolve India’s travel concerns, but a resolution remains uncertain.
(Manas Dasgupta)
