Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan PM praises PCB chair Mohsin Naqvi as standoff continues

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has been praised by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the stand taken by the cricket board on the 2025 Champions Trophy hosting. Pakistan are the designated hosts for the 2025 Champions Trophy and while the schedule was to come out at least 90 days before the tournament which is reportedly scheduled to start on 19 February, there’s no news on the fixtures till now.

The delay has been caused by the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) tough stance where it has refused to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan due to security issues.

It was expected that the Champions Trophy 2025 would be played in a hybrid model, similar to what happened during the 2023 Asia Cup when India played their matches in Sri Lanka, not in Pakistan. However, PCB’s refusal to accept a hybrid model has led to an impasse.

It has been reported that PCB is only willing to accept the hybrid model but with the condition that a similar option will be given to the Pakistan cricket team when India hosts the ICC events, at least till 2027.

‘Pakistan’s honour comes first’

Meanwhile, Pakistan PM Sharif has praised Naqvi, who is also the Federal Interior Minister, for not accepting the hybrid model so far despite pressure from the broadcaster and ICC.

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“Your stance on the Champions Trophy is the voice of every Pakistani,” Sharif was quoted as saying by A Sports in Pakistan. “In the ICC, you represented Pakistan’s 240 million people. Pakistan’s honour comes first, and everything else follows.”

Naqvi also reasserted that Pakistan is ready to host the tournament.

“The PCB is fully prepared to host the Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan,” Naqvi said. “We want Pakistan and cricket to succeed.”

The BCCI, meanwhile, has rejected Pakistan's request to accept a hybrid model for ICC events in India. This also suggests that PM Sharif’s praise for Naqvi may have been premature, as there is still a possibility of the Champions Trophy 2025 being shifted out of Pakistan if the PCB does not agree to a solution that aligns well with the broadcaster’s requirements