LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has firmly dismissed the possibility of adopting a “hybrid model” for next year’s ICC Champions Trophy, even if India refuses to send its team to Pakistan.
Naqvi’s comments come in the wake of growing speculation in Indian media that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may opt for a neutral venue for its matches in the tournament, instead of traveling to Pakistan.
Despite ongoing political tensions between the two neighboring countries, the BCCI has maintained its longstanding position of not engaging in bilateral cricket with Pakistan. While the two teams last faced off in a bilateral series in 2012, they have competed in ICC events such as the Asia Cup and the ICC World Cup, with India even traveling to Pakistan’s neighboring country Sri Lanka for the Asia Cup last year. The visit raised hopes of India reciprocating the gesture and touring Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2024, across Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi.
However, following Indian media reports suggesting that India’s cricket team would not travel to Pakistan, Naqvi categorically ruled out the “hybrid model,” which was used during last year’s Asia Cup. Under that model, India played its group matches in Sri Lanka, while a few games were held in Pakistan, including the final. Naqvi stressed that the PCB had no intention of revisiting this arrangement for the Champions Trophy.
“No discussions have taken place regarding a hybrid model,” Naqvi told reporters at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday. “We are not ready to discuss such a model. If anything like this happens, it must be communicated officially in writing, and we have not received any such communication yet,” he added, referring to the Indian media reports that claimed the BCCI had already informed the PCB about their decision.
The PCB chairman also expressed frustration with the continuous speculation, saying that reports in Indian media regarding India’s non-participation had been circulating for the last two months. “If the BCCI has made such a decision, we expect it to be communicated in writing, either by the ICC or the Indian Board. Until we get something formal, these are just media reports,” Naqvi said, emphasizing the need for official documentation.
Naqvi indicated that if India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan is confirmed, the matter might need to be escalated to the Pakistani government for further consideration. “If such a situation arises, we will have to consult with our government, and whatever the government decides, we will follow,” he stated. “Pakistan has extended gestures of goodwill in the past, but we cannot continue to do so indefinitely,” he added.
Agencies