Shahid Afridi, former Pakistan cricketer has come out in support of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over its decision against the hybrid model for next year’s Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be held in Pakistan. Afridi criticized the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for bringing politics into the sport and urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to ensure fairness in the matter. The schedule for the tournament will be decided on Friday as the ICC Board is meeting to properly finalise it.

“BCCI Has Placed International Cricket In Precarious Position”

“By intertwining politics with sports, the BCCI has placed international cricket in a precarious position. Fully support the PCB’s stance against the hybrid model – especially since Pakistan (despite security concerns) has toured India five times, including a bilateral white-ball series, post-26/11. It’s time for the ICC and its Board of Directors to uphold fairness and assert their authority,” Afridi wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

By intertwining politics with sports, the BCCI has placed international cricket in a precarious position. Fully support the PCB's stance against the hybrid model – especially since Pakistan (despite security concerns) has toured India five times, including a bilateral white-ball… pic.twitter.com/Xl4YBhCWuB

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) November 28, 2024

India’s Refusal To Travel To Pakistan

The Indian cricket board BCCI informed the ICC that their team couldn’t travel to Pakistan on time due to restrictions by Indian government level. In any case, PCB is resisting the hybrid model and wanting to host the event entirely within the country which makes further confusion regarding its future. Afridi reminded all that Pakistan has paid five visits to India since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that shook relations between both countries. The Champions Trophy will be played at three venues in Pakistan in February and March next year but India, which hasn’t toured Pakistan since 2008, informed the ICC earlier this month that their government hasn’t allowed them to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.