New Delhi: India should expect nothing short of reciprocation after refusing to play the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, said its cricket board’s chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
Pakistan travelled to India for the ODI World Cup last year but India didn’t travel across the border for the Asia Cup and have maintained a similar stance for the Champions Trophy that is set to begin on February 19 next year.
“It is just not possible that while Pakistan keeps on going and playing in India all events the Indian authorities are not willing to send their team to play in Pakistan. We can’t have such an unequal situation,” Naqvi said, as quoted by PTI.
The ICC hasn’t been able to announce schedule even 100 days before the tournament and has called for a board meeting on Friday to decide how it could be conducted.
A hybrid model with India’s matches moved to Dubai from Lahore has been mooted though Pakistan have expressed desire to conduct all matches on their home soil.
Hope on Jay Shah
But on Thursday Naqvi wasn’t as adamant as before, expressing confidence at arriving at an acceptable solution, hoping new ICC chairman Jay Shah, the current BCCI secretary who takes charge on December 5 would put the focus on greater good over any particular country’s interest.
“All I can assure is whatever happens in the meeting we will come out with good news and decisions which will be accepted by our people,” he said.
Naqvi inspected the refurbishment work that the PCB has undertaken at Lahore’s Gaddafi stadium, one of the three venues that is scheduled to host Champions Trophy matches.
“Jay Shah takes charge in December, and I’m sure once he moves from the BCCI to the ICC, he will think about the ICC’s benefit, and that’s what he should do.
“Whenever anyone assumes such a role, he should only consider the interests of that organisation,” he said.
Pakistan travelled to India for the ODI World Cup last year but India didn’t travel across the border for the Asia Cup and have maintained a similar stance for the Champions Trophy Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
