In a new development in the ongoing Indo-Pakistan saga surrounding next year’s Champions Trophy, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly rejected the proposed hybrid model for the event and is seeking clarification from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan.
PCB Demands Answers From BCCI
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, speaking on Monday (November 18, 2024), revealed that the board had yet to receive any response from the ICC concerning the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to not send its men’s team to Pakistan. Earlier in November, the BCCI had officially informed the ICC that it would not participate in the tournament in Pakistan and requested that its matches be hosted in a neutral venue.
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“If India has any concerns about sending their team to Pakistan they must talk to us and we will remove them. I don’t think there is any reason for India not to come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy,” a PTI report quoted Naqvi as saying.
“We are directly interacting with the ICC and we are still waiting for a response from them so we can take things forward,” he said.
PCB Still Awaits Response From ICC After India’s Refusal
“I am here to talk about the construction work progress and we are waiting for ICC to respond to us as they also have to announce the schedule.”
“We are ahead of our deadline to complete construction and finishing at all three stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.”
WATCH- Mohsin Naqvi’s Stance After BCCI’s Decision
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi's media talk at Gaddafi Stadium as he inspected the venue's upgradation pic.twitter.com/kW7yzH68aY
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 18, 2024
India hasn’t visited Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, and the Champions Trophy is scheduled between February-March 2025. Naqvi, who has recently been appointed as the federal interior minister, said that the PCB had written a letter to the ICC after that to the BCCI regarding the stated position. Naqvi also declined to comment on the controversy that is building up over the Champions Trophy Tour to Muzaffarabad, a region claimed by India and part of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The BCCI had earlier objected to the inclusion of the disputed region in the tour. On the preparation for the tournament, Naqvi assured that renovation work at the tournament venues is proceeding as planned.
