“Cricket must win”: PCB takes soft stance on India-Pakistan Champions Trophy dispute

Backing down from its boycott threat, the Pakistan Cricket Board has told the ICC that it is ready to accept a 'hybrid' model for hosting next year's Champions Trophy, provided the world body allows the events to be held in India till 2031. Allow similar arrangement for. What was revealed by a PCB source in Karachi was confirmed a few hours later by its chief Mohsin Naqvi in ​​Dubai. The tournament is scheduled to be held in February-March and India has refused to travel to Pakistan citing security concerns. “I don't want to comment too much because it might make things worse. We have given our view (to the ICC), Indians have also given their view. The effort is to ensure victory for all,” Naqvi said. Told reporters. “Cricket must win, that is most important but with respect to everyone. We are going to do what is best for cricket. Whatever formula we adopt, it will be on equal terms,” ​​he said.

“Pakistan's pride is most important. We have to ensure that cricket wins but Pakistan's pride also remains intact.” The latest proposal is an outburst from the PCB, which had earlier threatened to boycott the tournament if its hosting rights were not awarded in full and India's demand for a neutral venue was not accepted.

Asked whether Pakistan had now agreed to this arrangement, Naqvi replied, “Let's see what happens.” “My effort is to ensure that there is no one-sided arrangement. It should not be that we travel to India and they do not come to our country. The idea is to resolve this once and for all on equal terms.” In Karachi, a PCB source said the board was also seeking a greater share in the annual revenue cycle to agree on a model under which India would play its share of matches, including the tie against Pakistan in Dubai.

“The current situation is that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said that he will accept hosting of the Champions Trophy on the hybrid model only if the board agrees that in future all ICC events will be held on the same system and Pakistan will travel to India to play the matches. will not go.” The source told PTI.

“Pakistan also wants the ICC board to increase its share in its financial cycle revenue from 5.75 per cent and Naqvi is insisting on this but has not asked for any additional hosting fees,” he said.

By 2031, India is to host three ICC men's competitions – the 2026 T20 World Cup jointly with Sri Lanka, the 2029 Champions Trophy and the 2031 ODI World Cup jointly with Bangladesh.

Given that Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are co-hosts of the two major events, Pakistan will not be forced to travel to India if it insists against it. The only point of contention could be the 2029 Champions Trophy, which will be hosted entirely in India.

Another flash-point could be the Women's ODI World Cup in October next year, which will also be held in India.

The confusion over next year's Champions Trophy is now expected to be resolved in the next few days after the ICC Executive Board considered Pakistan's latest demands.

The ICC Board held a brief meeting on Friday to find a solution but no consensus could be reached.

The world body ultimately asked the PCB to either accept the hybrid model or be prepared to pull out of the tournament after Naqvi reiterated his country's steadfast position.

The announcement of the tournament schedule was delayed due to the impasse.

Naqvi, who is also his country's interior minister, may face the possibility of a public backlash if the PCB is seen to be backing down without any concrete gains.

Earlier in the day, he met Emirates Cricket Board chief Mubashir Usmani in Dubai and informed that Pakistan is ready to host the Champions Trophy and all preparations are on schedule.

The PCB source, however, dismissed speculations that the board would receive a US$20 million bonus in addition to the US$6 million hosting fee for the Champions Trophy for acceding to India's demands.

He said, “Pakistan has taken only one stand and that is that it will not play in India in any future ICC competition and the hybrid model should be implemented for all future ICC competitions in which Pakistan and India will play their games. Will play at neutral venues.” Said.