ICC Champions Trophy: venue of India matches to be decided Friday
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PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi
Lahore: The stalemate about the venues of India's matches in the ICC Champions Trophy, hosted by Pakistan will be resolved in a virtual meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) board to be held on Friday, Nov 29.
The uncertainty about the whole tournament came about because of India's unwillingness to play matches in Pakistan, and the hybrid mode it proposed being unacceptable to hosts Pakistan. In the hybrid mode proposed, India would play its matches in Sri Lanka or preferably UAE.
India refuses to play in Pakistan considering the tense relations between the two countries. India has not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. India's cricket board, BCCI will go by the directives of the government in this regard which does not want such a gesture to be shown in the current situation.
However, Pakistan being keen to see the tournament go smoothly as the host, is reportedly warming up to the idea of hybrid mode, though it is determined that it won't play in India, as long as India does not play in Pakistan.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has insisted that the board remains "clear" in its view on hosting the Champions Trophy, and added that "it's not possible that Pakistan play in India, and they don't come here", reported IANS.
"Our stance is very clear," Naqvi said during a press conference held at the Gaddafi Stadium. "I promise we'll do what is best for Pakistan cricket. I'm constantly in touch with the ICC chairman and my team is talking to them constantly. We're still clear in our stance that it's not acceptable that we play cricket in India, and they don't play cricket here. Whatever will happen, will happen on the basis of equality. We've told the ICC very clearly, and what happens next we'll let you know."
The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be hosted across three venues in Pakistan over February and March next year. But India, who have not toured Pakistan since 2008, told the ICC their government had not given them permission to travel to Pakistan for the event earlier this month.
"Whatever we do, we will make sure the best outcome for Pakistan is achieved," Naqvi said multiple times. "But I repeat, and I am sure you know what I mean, it's not possible that Pakistan play in India, and they don't come here," said Naqvi.
Naqvi further said that any decision taken at the ICC meeting would then be taken to the Pakistan government by the PCB for final approval.
He also urged Jay Shah, who leaves his post as BCCI secretary to take over as ICC chairman on Sunday, to show concern for the ICC's benefit in his handling of the organisation.
"(Jay Shah) takes charge in December, and I'm sure once he moves from the BCCI to the ICC, he will think about the ICC's benefit, and that's what he should do. Whenever anyone assumes such a role, he should only consider the interests of that organisation."
Meanwhile, sources said that PCB will be offered financial incentives, over and above the hosting fees of USD 70 million, to agree to the hybrid model.
A similar model was followed last year when India played their Asia Cup matches in Sri Lanka while four group games were hosted by Pakistan.
The PCB has spent millions of dollars to renovate stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi for what will be its first ICC event since it co-hosted the 1996 World Cup, reports PTI.
Major teams including England and Australia have toured Pakistan recently after years of isolation following the horrific attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in 2009.
Since the ICC awarded Champions Trophy hosting rights to Pakistan in 2021, PCB has been facing constant pressure from the fans to host all the games in the country.
(With inputs from IANS & PTI)
