NEWS
Follow UsThe Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, is positive about Pakistan hosting the Champions Trophy despite no response from the ICC about BCCI’s objections to sending the Indian team to the subcontinent nation.
Pakistan have not hosted an ICC event since 1996 due to various reasons. Now, their fortunes regarding their hosting rights for the Champions Trophy next year are in jeopardy with BCCI stating they won’t send their team to Pakistan and demanding a hybrid model. India have not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup.
PCB wrote to ICC last week seeking answers about the BCCI’s stance. It has also demanded a written response from the BCCI. Having not received any response, Naqvi is confident that the tournament will go on as originally planned.
"We have sent them [ICC] the questions we had," Naqvi said at a press interaction at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. "We are still waiting for their response. I believe that sports and politics are separate and no country should mix the two. Even now, I still have positive expectations about the Champions Trophy."
Adding further, Naqvi said the PCB is firm in its stance to not agreeing to the hybrid model, having agreed to such terms for the Asia Cup last year when India played their matches in Sri Lanka.
"At this moment, every team that has qualified for the Champions Trophy is ready to come. Nobody has any issues. I will say today also, if India has any concerns, speak to us about them, we can ease those concerns. I don't think there is any reason for them not to visit,” he said.
In between all this drama, reports emerged that Pakistan could also boycott the event in case they have to share their hosting rights pertaining to the BCCI’s demands. Addressing those rumours, Naqvi said that Pakistan’s pride is of primary importance.
The controversy between the two governing bodies took a new turn when the BCCI objected to the PCB’s trophy tour plans in the PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) territories. Consequently, the PCB had to change their plans from taking the trophy to Skardu, Hunza and Mazafarabad.
Naqvi questioned the ICC’s credibility regarding this issue, saying, "My feeling is that the ICC will have to think about its credibility, that they are an organization for all the world's bodies. And that route has been rescheduled; we haven't been told about any cancellation."
The PCB started renovating its prime stadiums — in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi — long ago in anticipation of the tournament taking place in Pakistan. Naqvi stated they are hoping that the ICC will announce the itinerary soon so they can further plan their preparations for the event.
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