The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly planning to propose a hybrid model for the PCB to conduct the Champions Trophy following India’s refusal to travel to the country.
BCCI has already informed ICC that the Indian team will be not travelling to Pakistan for the tournament due to security concerns. Meanwhile, Pakistan is reluctant to host the tournament within the country itself.
On this occasion, ICC is set to hold an Executive Board meeting on Tuesday to resolve the issues. According to the sources, the sports body council with ‘additional incentives’ in a bid to convince Pakistan to host the tournament in a hybrid model.
“With the PCB not willing to budge on hosting the event under a hybrid model, they are now being offered additional financial incentives to end the deadlock,” said a source.
“Chances are (that) by tomorrow (Tuesday), a clear picture will emerge after a virtual discussion by board representatives on under which format the Champions Trophy would eventually be held early next year,” the source added.
“The PCB so far has resisted all such moves, insisting (that) if India is not willing to play in Pakistan it is their problem as all the (other) six other participating nations have no issues (with) playing in Pakistan,” stated the source.
Meanwhile, another sources said, PCB has insisted the India vs Pakistan group stage match as well as the final to be held in Lahore even if PCB accepts the Hybrid model proposal.
“The PCB is also insisting that even if it agrees to a hybrid model, the Pakistan and India group (stage) match and the final should be held in Lahore,” said a source.
“Obviously, the Indian cricket board is not agreeable to this and is insisting (that) India should play all its matches in Dubai, including the one against Pakistan, the semi-final and the final if they qualify for it,” he continued.
With the official schedule for the Champions Trophy 2025 is yet to be released, the draft schedule has revealed that the tournament will be held from February 19 to March 09.
“As far as we are concerned, all the preparations for the tournament, including the construction work at the three stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi is continuing on schedule,” informed a PCB official.
To be noted, the Asia Cup 2023 was played in hybrid format. Sri Lanka hosted nine matches including the final where Pakistan hosted four games.
India has not toured to Pakistan since 2008, when Pakistan hosted Asia Cup. Since 2012, the two teams have only faced off in ICC and ACC competitions.
Despite the political tension, Pakistan has travelled to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup where they failed to qualify for the knock out stages.
