PCB Adamant on Hosting 100-Percent Champions Trophy in Pakistan
Published on November 8, 2024 by Danyal Rasool
Lahore, Pakistan – In a discussion at the newly-renovated Gaddafi Stadium, PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi firmly stated that Pakistan is “not prepared to accept” a hybrid model for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Naqvi emphasized that Pakistan is fully prepared to host the entire tournament within the country.
Addressing the media, Naqvi revealed that the PCB has not received any official communication from the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) regarding objections to the Indian team playing in Pakistan. “In the last two months, the Indian media has been reporting that India isn’t travelling,” Naqvi said. “However, no formal communication has reached the PCB. We need them to provide any objections in writing before we can consider alternatives.”
Naqvi also pointed out Pakistan’s past “great gestures” towards India, such as traveling to the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, despite India’s decision not to participate in the Asia Cup held in Pakistan, which eventually adopted a hybrid model.
“If we get a letter from India, I’ll have to go to my government and abide by their decisions,” Naqvi said. “But Pakistan has shown great gestures to India in the past, and we’d like to say clearly India shouldn’t expect such friendly gestures from us every time [if they refuse to come].”
The PCB chairman emphasized that cricket should be free from political entanglement. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. If you don’t get along with another country, that’s another matter, but politics should not be involved in sport,” he stated.
Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister, said the PCB is prepared to offer every facility to the participating teams and would like to see fans from abroad attend the tournament. “Almost every country wants the CT to be played here,” he said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter. We’ll give every team as many facilities as we can. We’d like to see fans from abroad come for the tournament, too.”
The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2024, although the ICC (International Cricket Council) is yet to announce the official schedule.
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