NEW DELHI, Nov 28: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly conveyed its message to the International Cricket Council (ICC) that it would not accept hybrid model to conduct next year’s Champions Trophy.
The development comes just a day before the ICC is set to hold a crucial board meeting to finalise the schedule of the marquee event which is slated to be held in Pakistan. “I can confirm that PCB has a few hours back told the ICC that a Hybrid Model is not acceptable to them,” PCB sources said.
The sources said the PCB had initially told ICC that it would accept Hybrid Model if it is followed for every global India till 2031. “I can confirm initially the PCB had looked at the possibility of a Hybrid model on the condition that if India can’t play in Pakistan, then in future there would be Hybrid models in all ICC events in India right until 2031 (ODI World Cup in India and Bangladesh) as Pakistan would not go and play in India,” the source said.
PCB reportedly asked ICC if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has provided any letter from its government that it’s not giving clearance to the Indian men’s cricket team to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. “Under ICC regulations if any team says its government is not allowing it to play in another nation on whatever grounds that board has to submit their government’s directives in writing which we have not seen so far,” the source said.
PCB acknowledges BCCI and Indian market’s contribution in generating income for ICC but added Pakistan has been playing a major part in revenues through their matches against India. India haven’t toured Pakistan since the Mumbai terror attack in 2008.
BCCI’s refusal to send the team has been based on security concerns and the ICC has stated it won’t expect any member board to go against government’s advice.
(Manas Dasgupta)
