Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally informed ICC regarding its dismissal of accepting a hybrid model to accommodate India for the Champions Trophy 2025.
Ahead of the ICC Board Directors meeting scheduled for Friday, the PCB has reiterated its stance that Pakistan will not share hosting rights with any other country.
PCB has urged ICC to provide a workable solution to the issue before the meeting. PCB claims that the solution to the issue would allow for better preparation. PCB has denied sharing hosting rights with another country.
“We remain firm in our position: Pakistan will not agree to a hosting arrangement where another country becomes involved. It is unacceptable for the Pakistani team to travel to India to play matches while the Indian team refuses to come to Pakistan,” the PCB is reported to have told the ICC.
Earlier this month, Pakistan adopted a tough stance following India’s official refusal to send its cricket team to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 next year. Pakistan’s government has decided to take a firm stance on the issue.
Reliable sources within the government have confirmed that Pakistan may not play against India in any international event unless India reciprocates visiting Pakistan for any ICC event.
Instead of accommodating India, Pakistan considered a strict stance on India’s attempt to politicize sports. PCB has received a letter from the International Cricket Council informing PCB of India’s formal refusal to send its cricket team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, citing security reasons. Consequently, the ICC has announced that it will delay finalizing the schedule for the Champions Trophy.
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Indian Cricket Board had proposed a hybrid model allowing the Indian cricket team to play all its matches in Dubai. However, Chairman Mohsin Naqvi refused to accept a hybrid model.
Sources claimed that the government may even ban Pakistan from playing India in any event in the future. The bilateral series has already been suspended between both countries for more than a decade now.