Champions Trophy 2025: PCB won't 'sell rights just for more money,' says board ahead of ICC meeting

Amid news that the International Cricket Council (ICC) is trying to placate the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) with "additional financial incentives” in return for agreeing to a Hybrid Model for Champions Trophy 2025, the head of the body, Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday said that they are not ready to “sell our rights out just for more money” but will try to do whatever is in the best interest of the country in the emergency meeting that is scheduled for Friday (29 November).

“I promise you that we’ll not just sell our rights out just for more money. This will never happen. But we’ll do whatever is best for Pakistan,” Naqvi reportedly said during a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday morning.

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PCB says decision should be taken on basis of equality

Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s federal interior minister, added that PCB is constantly in touch with the ICC and any arrangement where the Pakistan cricket team plays their matches in India but the Men in Blue do not play in Pakistan is “not acceptable” to PCB.

“Our stance is very clear. I promise we’ll do what is best for Pakistan cricket. I’m constantly in touch with the ICC chairman and my team is talking to them constantly,” Naqvi was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. “We’re still clear in our stance that it’s not acceptable that we play cricket in India, and they don’t play cricket here. Whatever will happen, will happen on the basis of equality. We’ve told the ICC very clearly, and what happens next we’ll let you know.”

As per the draft schedule, the Champions Trophy 2025 is set to take place in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore in February and March next year, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) refusal to take part in any cricket tournament in Pakistan has put things in limbo. The ICC has also failed to meet its contractual deadline with regard to the tournament’s schedule and faces financial losses.

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The ICC has called for an emergency meeting on 29 November in which the board members could be asked to vote to conclude as PCB remains against a Hybrid Model.

PCB sends message to BCCI’s Jay Shah

Naqvi was asked on Thursday if a Hybrid Model is still unacceptable to the Pakistan Cricket Board. To this, he gave an indirect response: “Whatever we do, we will make sure the best outcome for Pakistan is achieved. But I repeat, and I am sure you know what I mean, it’s not possible that Pakistan play in India, and they don’t come here.”

Naqvi added that the final decision taken at the ICC meeting will be taken to the Pakistan government for approval and asked Jay Shah, the ICC chair-elect, to work for the global body’s interest.

“[Jay Shah] takes charge in December, and I’m sure once he moves from the BCCI to the ICC, he will think about the ICC’s benefit, and that’s what he should do. Whenever anyone assumes such a role, he should only consider the interests of that organisation.”

Shah will take over as ICC chief on 1 December, replacing incumbent Greg Barclay.