New Delhi: Pakistan is scheduled to host the Champions Trophy in February and March next year. Political tensions between India and Pakistan mean that both countries have not played any bilateral matches since 2012-13 outside of major tournaments, and the Indian team has not visited Pakistan since 2008.
Pakistan travelled to India last year for the ODI World Cup but India is not ready to visit Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy and there are reports that they could play their matches outside Pakistan, possibly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
‘No discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one’: PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that they are not prepared to accept the hybrid model for the Champions Trophy and want to host the entire tournament in the country. He also said that the board have not received any official communication from the BCCI.
“In the last two months, the Indian media has been reporting that India isn’t travelling. I discussed this with them and my team, and our stance is clear: they need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one. The Indian media are reporting it, but no formal communication has reached the PCB” Mohsin Naqvi said.
He further added that his country have shown great gestures in the past, referring to Pakistan travelling to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup and if PCB gets any letter from India, the board will go to the Pakistan government.
“If we get a letter from India, I’ll have to go to my government and have to abide by their decisions. Pakistan has shown great gestures to India in the past, and we’d like to say clearly India shouldn’t expect such friendly gestures from us every time [if they refuse to come]. The government will decide if Pakistan travel for any future event in India if they don’t come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The PCB will not decide that” Naqvi added.
The PCB Chairman further said that cricket should be politics-free and any sports should not be entangled with it. He also said Pakistan will give every team as many facilities as they can. As per the ESPNcricinfo report, BCCI has not discussed the matter internally and also has not changed its stance. They will wait for the Indian government’s approval on whether to travel to Pakistan or not for the mega event.
A “hybrid model” for hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 will not be accepted by the Pakistan Cricket Board, according to the PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
