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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has said that he is not ready to adopt a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy 2025. Talking to reporters at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, he said, “He has not had any official talks with the BCCI in this regard nor has the BCCI officially raised any objection.”
Mohsin Naqvi on Hybrid Model proposal for Champions Trophy
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Naqvi further said, “I have talked to my team about this and our stand is clear that if they have any objection then give it to us in writing. Till then there will be no talk about the hybrid model and we are not even ready to accept it. Even though the Indian media is reporting something like this, there has been no formal talk with the PCB in this regard yet.”
Naqvi also said that Pakistan visited India for the ODI World Cup last year, so India should also come to Pakistan.
He said, “If we get any letter from India, we will go to our government and accept their decision. Earlier, Pakistan had shown a big heart for India and organized the Asia Cup on a hybrid model and the Pakistan team went there for the ODI World Cup. But this cannot happen every time. If this happens, then from next time we will also take permission from the government to go to any tournament in India, and not the PCB will take any decision.”
Due to political tension, there has been no bilateral series between the two countries since 2012-13, while the last test between the two countries was held in 2007. Naqvi said that cricket should be free from politics.
Three grounds have been decided for the Champions Trophy – Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi, but India has been offered that they can play all their matches in Lahore, which is very close to the Indian border. This will also be convenient for the Indian spectators. PCB has said that they have arranged about 17,000 visas for Indian spectators.
Naqvi said, “Almost all countries want the tournament to be held in Pakistan and PCB is ready to provide them every facility. I am also in touch with some boards and everyone is excited to play here. I don’t think this should be made a political issue. We will provide every kind of facility to every team. We want fans to come from abroad for this tournament.”
According to the information received by ESPNcricinfo, even though BCCI has not formally shared this matter, their stance is not going to change. They have been waiting for the permission of the Indian government to go to Pakistan and will still do the same. However, it is not yet clear whether BCCI has yet sought approval for this tournament or not.
It is worth noting that this tournament is going to be held in Pakistan between 19 February and 9 March, the schedule of which is yet to be formally announced by the ICC.
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