Dubai:
The International Cricket Council finds itself in a bind as the all-powerful board meets on Friday to hammer out the much-awaited schedule of next year's Champions Trophy, with an unyielding Pakistan refusing to consider the 'hybrid' model for hosting the event , despite India's refusal to play there. The meeting will take place virtually. India's decision not to send the team to Pakistan and the PCB's defiant stand of not joining the hybrid system have left the future of the marquee event in balance.
“Right now, the hybrid format is the best option. We hope that all parties involved will take a wise decision in the interest of the tournament. It is not good for the tournament to have it without India and Pakistan,” a source concluded off. the development told PTI.
The ICC members are trying to convey to the PCB that without the tension between India and Pakistan, the Champions Trophy will lose all its luster and more importantly, there will be huge financial implications.
The host channel – Jio Star – has already contacted the ICC top brass to express its displeasure over the delay in arriving at a final decision on the schedule.
Under the contract between the ICC and the broadcaster, the governing body was expected to provide the tournament schedule at least 90 days in advance, and that deadline has already been missed.
Will members discuss the possibility of putting India and Pakistan in different groups in the competitive phase of the tournament to avoid Men in Blue traveling to the neighboring country? “I don't think the television rights holders will agree to that. They will demand a match between India and Pakistan in the group stage as a sure way to increase profile and monetary income, and it will be a bonus if the teams then meet in the knockouts,” the source said.
“Even otherwise, if India goes into the knockout stages, they will have to be drawn from Pakistan because BCCI has already made its position clear. The discussion will therefore revolve around the hybrid model.” India has not visited Pakistan since the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai that killed more than 150 people. The latest refusal to travel has been attributed to security concerns and the ICC has stated more than once that it does not expect any board member to go against government advice.
Political turmoil puts PCB on a sticky wicket
The Sri Lanka A team's tour to Pakistan had to be cut short a few days ago due to intense political protests in Islamabad.
The unrest is the result of a protest by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party, which belongs to former captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan. Incidents of clashes and violence were reported between protesters and law enforcement and security forces.
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the federal home minister, had announced that the army was being called in to quell the unrest.
But when it comes to the Champions Trophy, the PCB has remained committed to hosting the event there.
“The only thing I can assure is that whatever happens in the meeting, we will come out with good news and decisions that will be accepted by our people,” Naqvi told reporters in Karachi on Wednesday evening.
So, the primary aim of the ICC members will be to get PCB to embrace the 'Hybrid' model, at least for the league phase, most likely, in the UAE and the knockouts in Pakistan.
But if India progress further in the event, the knockouts, the matches that also feature India, may have to be moved back to the venue of the league matches.
But what if the PCB remains rigid and decides to withdraw from the Champions Trophy in case ICC decides to take it to a neutral venue? “It is a very unlikely scenario. It could have very far-reaching consequences for Pakistan cricket, which is not at its best in terms of financial health. India will host a number of tournaments in the coming years.
“If Pakistan decides to boycott the Champions Trophy, they will also have to boycott tournaments in India, which in turn could mean a lot of financial liabilities for PCB,” he added.
India will host the Asia Cup (2025), Women's World Cup (2025) and Men's T20 World Cup (2026), this event jointly with Sri Lanka.
Topics mentioned in this article
