(PCB) Pakistan Cricket Board categorically rejected the ‘hybrid model’ of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and sought further clarification from the International Cricket Council (ICC) on its refusal to send in its team to Pakistan following stern resistance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This comes even after BCCI communicated to the Pakistan Cricket Board that it would not travel to Pakistan for the upcoming tournament, which has thus far increased tensions between the two cricketing nations.
PCB Rejects Hybrid Model
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed frustration at the situation in a Monday news briefing. He said that the PCB does not support any hybrid model, that insists on playing matches in more than one country, with him pointing to the fact that it goes against Pakistan’s hosting rights as specified for the Champions Trophy.
“If India has any reservations in allowing their team to come here, then they should directly discuss with us. We don’t think there’s any justification for them to not come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy,” said Naqvi, indicating that the PCB is willing to hold discussions but is firm on the issue.
PCB Await Response From ICC
It has been learnt that the PCB also wrote to the ICC requesting further clarification on BCCI’s position and Naqvi confirmed his board was in direct contact with the ICC and awaited a formal response on the whole issue. The BCCI has already made clear to the ICC that it would like its Champions Trophy matches played in a neutral venue, rather than in Pakistan.
This has brought a diplomatic standoff, and now Pakistan is asking the ICC to play a more decisive role in settling the matter. Naqvi also used the opportunity to debunk the speculation that Jay Shah, Secretary, of BCCI, would be at any disadvantage as President, of ICC, from December 1. “Things do not work like this,” he said, debunking suggestions that the PCB will be at a disadvantage when in such leadership.
“Every cricket board is independent, and the ICC must maintain its credibility by representing all cricket boards equally,” he said, making it clear that PCB expects fair treatment in the matter.
Avoiding Sensitivities
Naqvi evaded the sensitive questions at a press briefing regarding the non-display of some cities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as part of exhibition tours revolving around the Champions Trophy, and also regarding the holding of the tournament in a hybrid model, focusing instead on the logistical concerns, particularly the infrastructure development going on in Pakistan.
“I am here to discuss the construction of stadiums. We are on schedule and likely to finish the stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi well before time,” he said during his statement while indicating that the PCB was moving ahead with its planning for the tournament.
Countdown
While the PCB waits for a response from the ICC, the heat continues to mount on all parties concerned as they continue to wait for a solution to the said issue before the tournament commencement. The standoff highlights the complicated, often politically charged nature of international cricket, especially between India and Pakistan – whose bilateral relations are fraught with tensions. While the ICC hasn’t been bold enough, it must take swift action so as not to make the 2025 Champions Trophy a circuit of off-field disputes.
The PCB’s outright rejection of the hybrid model and its call for direct talks with India seems to suggest that they will not compromise on their demand for a bilateral series, which complicates the already delicate relationship between the two cricketing giants. Important weeks lie ahead in terms of how the Champions Trophy will shape up and if it can somehow be conducted free of further controversy.
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