Pakistan’s Firm Stance on Hosting Rights
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has emphasized his commitment to ensuring that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is hosted entirely in Pakistan. Speaking ahead of the ICC board meeting on November 29, Naqvi stated he will prioritize what is in the “best interest of Pakistan.”
Naqvi strongly rejected the idea of a hybrid model, where India’s matches would be played at a neutral venue. He reiterated, “The Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan. A hybrid model will not be accepted.”
Key Takeaways:
- Pakistan is scheduled to host the eight-team tournament from February 19 to March 9, 2025.
- Political tensions between India and Pakistan complicate logistics.
- The ICC will decide the tournament’s fate during the upcoming board meeting.
India’s Refusal Sparks Debate
India’s government has refused to allow its cricket team to travel to Pakistan. This stance, consistent with a longstanding policy due to political tensions, has created significant hurdles for the tournament.
India has not played in Pakistan since 2008. Matches between the two nations have been limited to multi-team events held in neutral locations. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suggested moving India’s matches to the UAE or another neutral venue.
Naqvi, however, stood firm, saying, “It is not fair that we always go to India to play cricket, but they refuse to come to Pakistan. The terms must be equal for everyone.”
PCB’s Communication with ICC and Pakistan’s Government
The PCB has officially written to the ICC requesting a copy of BCCI’s concerns regarding travel to Pakistan. They have also sought guidance from Pakistan’s government on handling the matter.
Naqvi clarified that the PCB will act in alignment with the government’s recommendations. He added, “We’ll do whatever the government says, but selling out is not an option.”
The ICC board meeting on Friday will involve representatives from all member nations. A final decision on whether the Champions Trophy will be fully hosted in Pakistan or follow a hybrid model is expected during this session.
A Historic Event for Pakistan
If hosted as planned, the 2025 Champions Trophy would mark Pakistan’s first major ICC men’s tournament since 1996. In that year, Pakistan co-hosted the World Cup alongside India and Sri Lanka.
This event also follows Pakistan’s partial hosting of the 2023 Asia Cup. During that tournament, India’s matches were played in Sri Lanka because of the Indian government’s travel restrictions.
Naqvi’s firm stance underscores the PCB’s determination to defend its hosting rights and maintain fairness in international cricket relations.
Check out the Champions Trophy Schedule, Champions Trophy Live Score, Champions Trophy Squads , Champions Trophy Stats Champions Trophy Tour, Champions Trophy Venues & Champions Trophy Latest News here!
