The crucial meeting for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy is just hours away, and with the controversy about India not travelling to Pakistan for the tournament surrounding it, the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) has managed to further intensify their stance about the competition.
The PCB has come forward and made it clear to the ICC that they will not accept the much-debated hybrid model of the tournament. It is worth noting that the ICC is scheduled to meet at 2:30 PM Dubai time (4:00 PM IST), where they will decide what happens in the Champions Trophy.
Interestingly, the hybrid model could see that the Indian team not play its matches in Pakistan rather than compete at a neutral venue. The Champions Trophy is slated for the window between February 19 and March 9, and still there has been no solution provided.
Recently, the PCB’s chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, took centre stage and talked about how he is trying to do everything he can to protect his board’s interests. "Pakistan will not keep participating in events in India while Indian authorities keep refusing to send their teams to Pakistan. Such an imbalance is not acceptable. Our stance is well known. We will safeguard Pakistan's interests," Naqvi was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
Notably, the Asia Cup 2024 was slated to be held in Pakistan as well. However, due to the BCCI’s refusal to let the Indian team travel, India played their games in Sri Lanka as the tournament was completed in a hybrid model. Furthermore, Pakistan travelled to India for the ODI World Cup 2023 and is expecting India to return the favour.
The upcoming meeting could be a crucial test for both the ICC and the boards. The ICC is looking to propose alternatives in the meeting that suit all parties, but with the PCB denying a hybrid model, a possible solution for the same does not look feasible at the moment.
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