Champions Trophy Standoff Deepens as Pakistan Refuses Hybrid Model
The standoff over the ICC Champions Trophy’s venue continues to intensify, as the Pakistan government has reportedly advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) against moving any games outside the country.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had previously informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the Indian team would not travel to Pakistan, citing security concerns. However, Pakistan, which holds hosting rights for the entire tournament, remains firm on staging all matches within its borders.
Pakistan Government Bars PCB from Accepting Hybrid Model
According to a report from Indian Express, the Pakistan government has clearly stated its position to the PCB, refusing to consider the hybrid model that would see some games played outside Pakistan. A PCB official, speaking anonymously, confirmed the government’s stance: “We have been told by our government not to move any game out of Pakistan, and that will be our stand when the time comes. We have the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy, so there is no way we can move the games outside Pakistan.”
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali corroborated this during a video on his YouTube channel, stating that the government has advised the PCB to reject any partial hosting model.
Champions Trophy’s Future Hangs in Balance
With Pakistan set on hosting all games and India unwilling to travel, the Champions Trophy’s future remains uncertain. Suggestions have been made about relocating the tournament to South Africa if no resolution is found, though such a move may result in Pakistan’s withdrawal from the event. Another alternative, hosting the tournament without either India or Pakistan, has been discussed, though this option is financially unfavorable due to the significant revenue generated by India-Pakistan clashes.
The ICC is now left navigating a complex situation that affects not only regional cricket but also the revenue stream vital for global cricket organizations and other participating teams. The coming months are likely to reveal whether a compromise can be reached to keep both cricket giants engaged in the tournament.
