PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has made it clear that Pakistan will not entertain a hybrid model for hosting the Champions Trophy, asserting his board’s resolve to stage the entire tournament within Pakistan’s borders.
Speaking to media at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, which is currently undergoing renovations ahead of the Champions Trophy, Naqvi stated that there has been no official communication from India’s cricket board (BCCI) regarding any objections to playing in Pakistan. He emphasized that, unless objections are raised in writing, Pakistan is preparing to host the full event domestically.
Hybrid Model of Champions Trophy is Not Acceptable for PCB
Naqvi’s stance on Friday echoed a firmer position than PCB’s previous tone on the issue, particularly in response to reports from Indian media about India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan. He noted,
“For the last two months, Indian media has been reporting that India isn’t coming. We have seen no formal objections. If India has reservations, they should present them in writing, but a hybrid model has not been discussed, nor will we accept one.”
Reflecting on Pakistan’s gestures towards India, Naqvi highlighted that Pakistan’s national team recently played in the ODI World Cup in India, despite India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. The Asia Cup eventually adopted a hybrid model, with part of the tournament hosted in Sri Lanka. However, Naqvi warned that Pakistan may not extend the same goodwill in the future if India continues to avoid Pakistani venues.
Naqvi also reiterated that sports, including cricket, should remain apolitical. “Cricket should be free of politics,” he said. “If countries have differences, that’s separate, but sport should not be entangled with politics.”
For the tournament, PCB has identified Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi as the hosting venues, with Lahore offered as a hub for India’s matches to simplify logistics and security. Naqvi assured that Pakistan is ready to accommodate international fans, offering up to 17,000 visas for Indian supporters.
The Champions Trophy is scheduled from February 19 to March 9, but the ICC has yet to announce the official schedule. Meanwhile, the BCCI awaits guidance from the Indian government on the team’s travel permissions for Pakistan.
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