 "File image of Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Image credit: PCB")
The drama surrounding the fate of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy continues, with several members of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly expressing unhappiness with the PCB’s decision to accept the hybrid model.
The future of next year’s tournament is hanging by a thread following India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, citing security reasons. Although Pakistan were initially reluctant to accept the hybrid model, PCB later reportedly agreed to conduct the Champions Trophy in a hybrid model, given that the same would be implemented in global tournaments held in India till 2027.
India will host the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup as well as the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup. The 2026 T20 World will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The ICC has also reportedly assured Pakistan of hosting rights for a women’s ODI World Cup after 2027.
According to a report in news agency IANS, some of the PCB members are unsatisfied with this decision and have even warned PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi to not get carried away by the ICC’s strategy.
Former cricketer Basit Ali criticised the PCB for agreeing to this deal. “Now it is being said that in 2027 or 2028, a women’s World Cup will be given to Pakistan. Everybody will say, ‘waah ji waah! This is great, not one but two ICC events (in Pakistan)!’ But what’s the point of events like these? It’s being done so that in 2026, the Pakistan team will travel to India and the Indian women’s team will then come to Pakistan. The broadcasters won’t suffer any losses,” he said on his YouTube channel.
“Do you know what a lollipop is? This is a lollipop the ICC is giving to the PCB…that if you agree to this, don’t ask for anything in writing and we will give you another ICC event. This won’t be of any benefit (to Pakistan). They should rather bid for the Asia Cup, which is next year. The PCB should ask for this. The PCB won’t benefit by hosting the Women’s World Cup or U-19 World Cup. If the PCB accepts this lollipop, they’ll be the losers,” he added.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsFormer Pakistan captain Rashid Latif had criticised the PCB recently and even urged them to boycott the Champions Trophy. “Pakistan should boycott the Champions Trophy now. Before the BCCI takes this step, PCB should take it. Champions Trophy shouldn’t happen anymore,” Latif had said at an event.
“We have always been made scapegoats, be it Afghan war or cricket. PCB, ACB, and ICC are the same as they can’t fight against the BCCI. They have the chance to push Pakistan to the front. We have joined hands and are fighting against it, but the only fear is that if India boycotts, where do we stand,” he had added.
India have not travelled to Pakistan since 2008, when Pakistan had hosted the Asia Cup that year. The two countries have hardly played bilateral series since then, with Pakistan touring India for a limited-overs series in 2012. Pakistan had travelled to India last year to compete in the ODI World Cup, where they finished fifth.