NEW DELHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) officials are trying to urge the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to work towards the hybrid model for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy next year through back-channel talks, as per sources.
Sources said that back channel talks are going on to make PCB understand why the hybrid model is the best way to go for the tournament and why there cannot be an ICC tournament without the Indian cricket team. The sources have also said that top ICC officials are trying to get Pakistan stop making any statements against India.
There are discussions going on with the host Pakistan and other participating teams of the Champions Trophy next year about the schedule and it is likely to be out in a couple of days or so, the sources added.
India, the 2017 finalists, will not be playing their matches in Pakistan and their matches will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), said the source.
PCB wrote to the International Cricket Council (ICC) seeking reasons behind India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan to play the ICC Champions Trophy next year, Geo News reported.
India conveyed its stance of not travelling to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy, citing ‘security concerns’.
Speaking at a press interaction at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Naqvi said that PCB is still waiting for a reply from ICC. He also asked not to mix sports and politics.
“We have sent them [ICC] the questions we had. We are still waiting for their response. I believe that sports and politics are separate and no country should mix the two. Even now I still have positive expectations about the Champions Trophy,” Naqvi told press on Monday.
He added that all the countries who qualified for the Champions Trophy 2025 are ready to visit Pakistan except India.
“At this moment, every team that has qualified for the Champions Trophy is ready to come. Nobody has any issues. I will say today also, if India has any concerns, speak to us about them, we can ease those concerns. I don’t think there is any reason for them not to visit,” he added.
Earlier in the month, ICC conveyed to the PCB in writing that India would not travel to Pakistan to participate in the Champions Trophy, which will be held in early 2025.PCB consulted with the Pakistan government on the issue and is looking to present its stance.
The Pakistan board wants India to travel to Pakistan as their team also went during the time of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup in 2023. Last year, Pakistan hosted the Asian Trophy, but it was held in a hybrid model, with India playing its matches in Sri Lanka. India and Pakistan played their last bilateral series in 2012-13 in India, a white-ball series and now mostly play in ICC tournaments and Asia Cup.
