The Champions Trophy has faced a new obstacle as the Board of Control for Cricket in India has strictly declined the Pakistan Cricket Board’s insistence to play all their matches outside India. This puts a new uncertainty to the event.
Proposal By PCB
The PCB had already agreed to the hybrid model of Champions Trophy, where all India’s matches were to be played in Dubai. In return, the PCB proposed that they would not stage any of their matches in India during the 2026 T20 World Cup that India will co-host with Sri Lanka. That, according to them was seen as a template for all the future ICC tournaments – Women’s ODI World Cup next year, the 2029 Champions Trophy, and the 2031 ODI World Cup for which India is scheduled to host.
BCCI’s Firm Stance On Security
Sources told The Telegraph that the BCCI has communicated a clear position to the ICC’s leadership, rejecting the PCB’s proposal. The BCCI argues that there is no security threat in India, and therefore, there is no reason to accept the hybrid model. With the current situation India’s matches in the Champions Trophy will be played in Dubai, including the semi-finals and final, if they qualify.
Pakistan Sticks With Its Demands
Although the BCCI rejected, the PCB is still trying to keep their demand of hybrid model in all the ICC events. The PCB also wants a formal security statement from the BCCI saying they have apprehensions about not allowing India to play at home. However, the BCCI did not respond to that.
ICC Likely To Hold Another Emergency Meeting
The emergency ICC board meeting scheduled for Thursday would have been to deliberate on the hybrid model and resolve the deadlock. It is still unclear if this meeting will be held. The ICC had met briefly the previous Friday, but the PCB’s rejection of the hybrid proposal had forced the adjournment. The PCB had backtracked within a few hours of the ICC’s threat to relocate the Champions Trophy.
Mohsin Naqvi’s Involvement In Negotiations
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi was already in Dubai ahead of the scheduled meeting and was engaged in behind-the-scenes negotiations with the ICC and the Emirates Cricket Board. These negotiations are a part of continuing efforts to settle the issue but no compensation in terms of money has been offered to the PCB to accept the hybrid model.
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ICC Likely To Take Final Decision Soon
Sources indicate that all parties concerned are negotiating towards a resolution and the ICC board is set to meet soon. Further developments are on the cards as Jay Shah, the former BCCI secretary, has taken over the chairmanship of the ICC board. This will further raise the complexity of negotiations as is underway.
