“Attempt to commit robbery”: Former Pakistani star gives ultimatum to PCB on ICC's 'Champions Trophy'

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in danger of losing the hosting rights of the 2025 Champions Trophy after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rejected the demand for a hybrid model. Despite BCCI refusing to send its team to Pakistan due to security concerns, the PCB has repeatedly refused to accede to their demands. Although the ICC is trying its best to resolve the issue, both the PCB and BCCI have not been able to reach a consensus. During Friday's inconclusive meeting, the ICC warned the PCB to either accept a 'hybrid' model of hosting next year's Champions Trophy or be prepared to pull out of the event.

However, former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali has criticized the ICC and BCCI, who according to him are trying to snatch the hosting rights from the PCB. On the news of Pakistan being thrown out of the event, Basit believes that the tournament would not be possible without India and Pakistan.

“Who won the meeting – ICC, BCCI or PCB? And how could the meeting end so soon? Now they will know, the Indian board has united Pakistan …Even those who were against the PCB are saying 'Whatever (PCB chairman) Mohsin Naqvi says, we will stick to it,' Basit said on his YouTube channel.

He said, “This is not justice, you are trying your best to rob us of our Champions Trophy (It is not fair that they are trying to snatch the hosting of the Champions Trophy from Pakistan).”

During Friday's emergency meeting, which has now been postponed, ICC board members were sympathetic to Pakistan's position, but PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, nevertheless, called the 'hybrid' model the only “plausible” solution to the current controversy. It was advised to accept it as “solution”. ,

If the 'hybrid' model is adopted, India's portion of the Champions Trophy matches will be held in the UAE.

An ICC board source said, “Look, no broadcaster will give a single penny to an ICC event in which India is not there and even Pakistan knows this. The ICC meeting on Saturday will take place only if Mr Mohsin Naqvi' Would agree with the 'hybrid model'.” PTI spoke on condition of anonymity.

(With PTI inputs)