Last updated:November 30, 2024, 8:52 PM IST

The tournament is scheduled to be held in February-March and India has refused to travel to Pakistan citing security concerns.

PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi almost confirms hybrid model for ICC Champions Trophy 2025. (Image credit: AFP)

Backtracking on its boycott threat, the Pakistan Cricket Board has told the ICC that it is willing to accept the ‘Hybrid’ model to host next year’s Champions Trophy, provided the world body allows the same arrangement for events to be held in India until 2031.

What was revealed by a PCB source in Karachi was almost confirmed by its chief Mohsin Naqvi in ​​Dubai hours later. The tournament is scheduled to be held in February-March and India has refused to travel to Pakistan citing security concerns.

“I don’t want to comment too much because it might spoil things. We have given our point of view (to the ICC), the Indians have also given theirs. The effort is to ensure a win-win for all,” Naqvi told reporters.

“Cricket should win, that is most important but with respect to all. We will do what is best for cricket. Whatever formula we choose, it would be on a level playing field,” he added.

“Pakistan’s pride is most important. We have to make sure cricket wins but Pakistan’s pride also remains intact.”

The latest proposal is a climbdown by the PCB, which had earlier threatened to boycott the tournament if its hosting rights were not granted in full and India’s demand for a neutral venue was accepted.

Asked if Pakistan has agreed to the arrangement now, Naqvi’s reply was: “Let’s see what happens.”

“My effort is to ensure that there is no one-sided system. It should not be that we travel to India and they do not come to our country. The idea is to settle it once and for all on equal terms.”

In Karachi, a PCB source said the board is also demanding a bigger stake in the annual revenue cycle to agree to the model under which India would play its share of the matches, including the clash against Pakistan, in Dubai.

“The current situation is that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said that they will only accept to host the Champions Trophy on a hybrid model if the board agrees that in future all ICC events will be on the same system with Pakistan not going to India to play matches,” the source told PTI.

“Pakistan also wants the ICC board to increase its share of revenue in the financial cycle from 5.75 percent and Naqvi is insisting on this, but he has not requested any additional hosting fees,” he added.

Until 2031, India will host three men’s ICC competitions – the 2026 T20 World Cup along with Sri Lanka, the 2029 Champions Trophy and the 2031 ODI World Cup along with Bangladesh.

Considering that Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are hosting two major events, Pakistan would not have to travel to India if they insist against it. The point of contention can only be the 2029 Champions Trophy, which will be held entirely in India.

Another flashpoint could be next year’s Women’s ODI World Cup in October, which will also be held in India.

The course of action surrounding next year’s Champions Trophy is now expected to be resolved within the next few days after the ICC board considered Pakistan’s latest demands.

The ICC board met briefly to find a solution on Friday but no agreement could be reached.

The world body eventually told the PCB to either accept the hybrid model or be prepared to be banned from the tournament after Naqvi reiterated his country’s steadfast position.

The impasse has led to a delay in the announcement of the schedule for the tournament.

Naqvi, who is also the interior minister of his country, faces the prospect of a public backlash if the PCB is seen backing down without any tangible gains.

Earlier in the day, he met Emirates Cricket Board chief Mubashir Usmani in Dubai, and told that Pakistan was ready to host the Champions Trophy and all preparations were on schedule.

However, the PCB source dismissed speculation that the board would receive a bonus of US$20 million on top of the US$6 million hosting fees for the Champions Trophy for conceding to India’s demands.

“Pakistan has only taken a stand and that is in future, it will also not play in India in any ICC events and the hybrid model should be applied for all future ICC events where Pakistan and India will play their matches at neutral venues,” he said.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)

Place:

Karachi, Pakistan