The tension between the Indian cricket board and Pakistan continues in regard to the ICC Champions Trophy, which the latter is scheduled to host from February 19 to March 9 next year. As proposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) the matches will be played in three cities — Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi, however, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has refused to send the team to the neighbouring nation citing security concerns. The Indian cricket board has officially written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) addressing the same and the latter waits for a response from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on the subject.
The PCB on Sunday had confirmed that it received an email from the ICC that India declined to travel to the neighbouring country.
“Unless the PCB decides to pull out of hosting the Champions Trophy the current plan is to hold India’s matches in UAE and the final in Dubai,” a source close to the development was quoted as saying by PTI on Monday. “The Indian Cricket Board has told the ICC that a Hybrid Model is acceptable to them only if the final is held in Dubai and not in Pakistan,” the source added.
The report in PTI also mentioned that ICC has asked the PCB if a Hybrid Model is acceptable to them. The international cricket body has assured PCB that under this arrangement the board will receive full hosting fees and a majority of the matches. “The ICC has told the PCB that if it decides to go ahead with the hosting of the mega event on a Hybrid Model it would get its full hosting fees and majority of the matches,” the report quoted the source as saying.
In another interesting development, the report in PTI also stated that if PCB withdraws from hosting the tournament due to BCCI's stance, ICC would consider moving the entire tournament to South Africa.
Pakistan 'may withdraw' from Champions Trophy
Meanwhile, a report in Dawn, Pakistan's leading Daily, has stated that the country may withdraw from the tournament entirely if the hosting rights are stripped. It also mentioned that the matter has been forwarded “to the Government of Pakistan for their advice and guidance."
“In such a case, one of the options the government is mulling is that of asking the PCB to ensure Pakistan don’t participate in the Champions Trophy,” a source was quoted as saying in Dawn.
The report by Dawn also mentioned that the Pakistan government may direct PCB to refuse playing against India in any of the ICC or Asian Cricket Council tournaments until issues are resolved between the two nations at the government level.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
