The BCCI has declined to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 unless it adopts a hybrid model suggested by the ICC. If Pakistan does not comply, the event may be moved to South Africa. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that no discussions regarding a hybrid model have taken place, highlighting the PCB’s firm stance on the matter.
Recently, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) dealt a blow to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding the hosting of the Champions Trophy 2025, indicating a refusal to allow the Indian cricket team to play in Pakistan. Reports indicate that the tournament could be relocated if Pakistan does not adhere to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) stipulations, which suggest that matches involving India should occur in a ‘hybrid’ model—similar to last year’s Asia Cup—whereby these matches would take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has asserted that there have been no discussions with the BCCI or ICC concerning the proposed hybrid model. He expressed, “No discussions have been held regarding a hybrid model as of today, and we are not ready to discuss such a model,” indicating a firm stance from the PCB on this matter. Naqvi further elaborated that any decision regarding the participation of the Pakistan cricket team in future Indian events would ultimately rest with the government of Pakistan, not the PCB itself.
The dispute over the hosting rights of the Champions Trophy 2025 stems from ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan concerning the participation of the Indian cricket team in events held within Pakistan. Historically, security concerns and diplomatic relations have influenced the feasibility of such events. The ICC’s proposal for a hybrid model seeks to accommodate both countries’ cricketing interests while navigating political sensitivities, a strategy recently employed during the Asia Cup.
In summary, the governance of the Champions Trophy 2025 is under scrutiny, with the PCB facing challenges in meeting ICC requirements for the event to be hosted in Pakistan. The insistence on a hybrid model by the ICC underscores the complex interplay between sports and international relations, particularly between India and Pakistan. The outcome of these discussions will be pivotal in determining the future environment of cricketing events on the subcontinent.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
