With the future of the 2025 Champions Trophy hanging in the balance, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali believes that there is no reason for the tournament to be held without India as it will lead to a huge loss in broadcasters.
Earlier on Monday, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi refused to accept the hybrid model proposed by BCCI to ICC for the Champions Trophy. Their stance of hosting all the matches of the tournament in Pakistan still remains firm.
The Indian cricket board is also reluctant to send the Men in Blue to Pakistan in order to participate in the tournament. Amid this chaos, the ICC have reportedly informed the PCB to soften their approach on the matter and accept the hybrid model proposed by the BCCI.
However, Basit warned PCB over its ongoing standoff with the BCCI over the venue of the tournament. He believes that the Indian board holds more power and have become even stronger due to the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“India (BCCI) ke paas power hai. IPL ki wajah se India boht strong ho chuka hai aur woh India ke against nahi jayenge (India has become very powerful because of the IPL and no team will go against them),” Basit said on his YouTube channel.
“ICC is now worried what to do and what not. Delay tactics are being used and they are hoping that telephone calls (to India and Pakistan) lead to a solution…But whosoever has to a solution…But whosoever has to conduct this tournament has decided how it will be done — whether India comes to Pakistan or not, or if it will be a hybrid model,” Basit added.
“Any talks of Champions Trophy being held without India need not be entertained, same for Pakistan, because the amount of loss the broadcasters have suffered at the T20 World Cup in the US and the West Indies, they don’t have much room left to bear more losses. They are putting pressure (on ICC) for clarity,” Basit concluded.
Amid the ongoing impasse over the Champions Trophy, it remains to be seen if the PCB will let go of their firm stance and accept BCCI’s proposal of a hybrid model for the ICC competition.
