The head of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Mohsin Naqvi, has told his staff and colleagues not to make any comments about India’s choice to send their team to the ICC Champions Trophy next year. Sources say that the PCB leader and other officials have decided not to talk about this issue and let the ICC deal with it. “That’s why recently, neither Naqvi nor any other board official has made any comments or statements about what might happen if India doesn’t send its team to Pakistan,” said a person close to the PCB.
Naqvi has instructed all involved officials to continue preparing for the Champions Trophy, assuming that India will send its team.
“The PCB has sent the draft schedule and submitted all other documents, including security plans for each team, to the ICC. Now, it’s up to the owners of the Cricket Tournament to persuade India to send its team,” the insider said.
He mentioned that Naqvi had clearly stated he didn’t want any unnecessary controversies in mainstream or social media platforms regarding the India and Pakistan cricket issue.
An inspection team from the ICC will visit Pakistan in September to conduct a final inspection of the three match venues: Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. The PCB’s main focus right now is to ensure the renovation work on the three stadiums is completed.
“It’s obvious that Naqvi is not ready to reveal the PCB’s plans for how the board will respond if India once more declines to send its team. However, after private discussions with government officials, a plan has been decided,” said another person in Islamabad.
To clarify, Naqvi is also the federal minister responsible for internal affairs.
