New Delhi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday rebuffed the reports of its officials holding a virtual meeting with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on November 26, to resolve the uncertainty that is looming over Champions Trophy 2025. The schedule announcement of the tournament has been delayed after the BCCI refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the marquee event.
“We have no information from the ICC about any meeting between us, BCCI and ICC,” a reliable PCB source told PTI. He also added that the PCB is still awaiting a response from the ICC to the mail that they sent to the global body asking for the reasons for India’s reluctance to send the team across the border. However, an ICC source has clarified that an internal meeting could be held on Tuesday to find a solution for this complex situation.
“It is a virtual meeting of the Executive Board members to resolve the issue of the Champions Trophy schedule once and for all,” the ICC source disclosed. He also added that the meeting has been called because the broadcaster of the event is putting a lot of pressure on the ICC to release the schedule.
“There is a chance that there could be a vote on what to do and whether the event should be held in Pakistan, relocate it or adopt the hybrid model as suggested by the BCCI with India playing its matches in the UAE,” he added.
Pakistan won’t play India in Dubai: Source
The official also conceded that for the Champions Trophy, the PCB has taken a strong stance and isn’t willing to budge from their position of holding the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in its entirety, as they have no issues in hosting any team.
“The PCB has also made it clear that even if the hybrid model is adopted it will not play its group match against India in Dubai,” the source said. According to him, a suggestion has been passed by the Executive Board to keep Pakistan and India in separate pools but the broadcasters are not willing to accept this because of the blow in revenue. India vs Pakistan cricket clashes have always proven to be a financial success for the organisers and broadcasters.
Several reports claimed that ICC will be holding a meeting with the PCB and the BCCI to solve the Champions Trophy dilemma but a PCB source has confirmed that no such information has been conveyed to them. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
