New Delhi: Designated hosts Pakistan have asked the International Cricket Council not to propose a hybrid model to stage the Champions Trophy at its board meeting on Friday as they aren’t willing to accept it after India’s refusal to travel across the border.
India’s stance has prevented the ICC from announcing the tournament’s schedule at least 90 days before the event, as per a contractual deadline agreed with its stakeholders, particularly broadcaster JioStar.
It could lead to financial repercussions as ICC’s board members would decide on how to conduct the competition as Pakistan remain adamant on not accepting the mooted proposal of shifting India’s matches to the UAE from Lahore.
The Pakistan Cricket Board remain firm in demanding all matches to be held on their soil, for which they have undertaken a huge refurbishment plan for three grounds.
PCB chairman took a recce of the reconstruction work at Lahore’s Gaddafi stadium on Wednesday, having previously said that they are not in favour of hybrid model as was used in the Asia Cup when India decline to tour.
The PCB has asked the ICC to look at other options as accepting a hybrid model would indicate extending a preferential treatment to India.
“I can confirm that PCB has a few hours back told the ICC that a Hybrid Model is not acceptable to them,” a PCB source told PTI.
“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.”
PCB seeks written word
The PCB had also sought India’s clarification on not touring Pakistan from the ICC, whoch they are yet to receive and have sent a reminder over it.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India had informed the ICC of is government’s reservation on the tour as part of their long-standing geo-political tensions leading to security concerns.
“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 PCB source told PTI.
The Pakistan Cricket Board remain firm in demanding all matches to be held on their soil, and have informed the ICC before its crucial board meeting on Friday Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
