PCB denies receiving communication from BCCI on Champions Trophy ‘Hybrid Model’, confident Pakistan will host all games

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) maintained they were unaware of any last-minute changes to plans for next year’s ICC Champions Trophy amid reports of India playing their matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and remained confident that the entire tournament would take place in Pakistan.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Friday that the board was yet to receive official communication from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding India’s travel plans for the 50-over ICC event that was scheduled to be hosted by defending champions Pakistan in February and March.

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“We have a clear stance that they must give it to us in writing if they (BCCI) have any issues. Till today, we have not spoken about any hybrid model, but we’re ready to speak on this,” Naqvi told reporters at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, according to Dawn.

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“Now, if Indian media is reporting this, then there must be some letter the ICC will give us, or the Indian Board might have written this somewhere. Till now, no such letter has reached me or the PCB,” added Naqvi.

‘We want cricket to be devoid of politics’: Naqvi

The PCB chief maintained that cricket must remain “devoid of politics”, with India having refused to travel to Pakistan since 2008 or play a bilateral series against them since 2012 due to cross-border terrorism and political tensions.

“We want cricket to be devoid of politics. No sport in the world should have these kinds of politics.

“We will continue the preparations for the Champions Trophy that you’re currently seeing, and God willing, it will be a successful event,” Naqvi told the press at PCB’s headquarters.

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As per The Indian Express, the BCCI has already written to the PCB indicating India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns and asking for their matches to be shifted to Dubai. And according to news agency Press Trust of India, PCB is close to agreeing on “slight adjustments” to the schedule – which in this context refers to India playing its matches in the Gulf instead of their neighbouring country.

If India’s matches are indeed moved to the UAE, it will be a repeat of last year’s Asia Cup, which was supposed to be held entirely in Pakistan only for it to be conducted in a ‘Hybrid Model’ – in which a majority of the fixtures, including India’s matches as well as the final – took place in Sri Lanka while some group matches were hosted in Pakistan.

‘Every country wants Champions Trophy to take place here’

PCB chief Naqvi acknowledged the fact that Pakistan had shown “good gestures” in recent years, but hoped they would not be expected to perform a similar act of courtesy for the Champions Trophy, which returns to action after an eight-year hiatus.

“For the past few years, Pakistan has continued to show good gestures, and we hope that we are not expected to show good gestures each time.

“From what I know, every country wants the Champions Trophy to take place here. I’m in contact with several boards and various members have expressed their desire to come play in Pakistan.

“I hope that, God willing, everyone will be patient and cool-headed and play the tournament where it is happening,” Naqvi added.