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Friday, November 8, 2024

PCB break silence on hybrid model for India

Indian newspaper Hindustan Times quoting a 'reliable' source in PCB, said that PCB is willing to make adjustments for India.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) denies accepting a hybrid model for the Indian Cricket Team for Champions Trophy 2025. Indian media claimed that PCB agreed to the hybrid model for India.

Matches of India will be shifted to Dubai and Sharjah. However, PCB sources have firmly dismissed these rumors, affirming that all matches will be held within Pakistan. “No consideration is being given to any hybrid model,” PCB source said.

Pakistan reaffirmed holding the entire Champions Trophy in Pakistan. For this, PCB is upgrading all the major stadiums and venues. The Asia Cup 2023 was previously conducted in a hybrid model, with India’s games taking place in Sri Lanka under former PCB chief Najam Sethi’s leadership.

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This arrangement was made to accommodate the India Cricket Team, which was reluctant to tour Pakistan due to political tensions between the two countries. Bilateral series have been suspended between the two countries for several years. The teams only compete head-to-head in ICC tournaments and events.

The International Cricket Council delegation is set to visit Pakistan from November 10 to 12 to assess Pakistan’s preparations for the tournament. Pakistan is included in Group A along with India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand. Meanwhile, Group B has England, South Africa, Australia, and Afghanistan.

Indian newspaper Hindustan Times quoting a ‘reliable’ source in PCB, said that PCB is willing to make adjustments for India. “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 reliable source in the PCB told PTI.

“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,” said the source. “It has told the ICC that since a back-up plan is already in place with a revised budget there is no sense in delaying releasing a tentative schedule of matches,” the source is quoted to have said further.