New Delhi: Pakistan has resigned to the idea of hosting Champions Trophy in a ‘hybrid model’ as India is unlikely to tour the country for the tournament in February-March of next year, a report suggested on Thursday.
The United Arab Emirates has emerged as the likely destination should India decline to travel to Pakistan with Dubai and Sharjah being floated as the possible venues.
Since India’s government is unlikely to allow the team to visit Pakistan citing security issues, the PCB is now ready to adjust to a ‘hybrid model’ to host a section of matches on home soil.
The PCB had agreed to such an adjustment for the 2023 Asia Cup in similar circumstances when India’s matches were shifted to Sri Lanka.
The International Cricket Council is yet to announce the tournament’s tentative schedule, much to the exasperation of the Pakistan Cricket Board, who want it to be disclose on November 11.
“The PCB feels that even if the Indian government does not clear the tour to Pakistan slight adjustments can be made to the schedule, as in all probability India would play its matches in Dubai or Sharjah,” a PCB source told PTI.
Tentative schedule
Everything hinges on BCCI’s decision and by the time it decides, the ICC would be chaired by Jay Shah, whose father Amit Shah, India’s Home Minister would be a key man in deciding to send the team or not.
Since the ICC can’t force the BCCI to go against the Indian government’s policy, the PCB don’t entertain much hopes either. But it wants the ICC to announced the tentative schedule by next week when some of its officials visit for a recce.
“The PCB has discussed with the ICC the tentative schedule which they sent some months back and wants the same schedule announced on 11 November,” the source added.
In the preliminary schedule, all of India’s matches are in Lahore for logistical reasons with the high-octane clash against Pakistan scheduled on March 9.
The PCB has spent close to 13 billion Pakistani rupees (approximately Rs 3.94 crore) on infrastructural upgrade in stadiums at Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi for the tournament beginning on February 19 next year.
India could play their Champions Trophy matches in the UAE if they don’t travel to designated hosts Pakistan for political and security reasons Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
