Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi of “full support” on the issue of hosting the Champions Trophy next year and said the country must maintain its self-respect in handling the matter, according to sources. Sharif, who is also the patron of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), also told Naqvi that it was not just about money and the sentiments of the public should also be taken into account.
India has refused to play its Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan and instead demanded that the tournament be played in a 'hybrid model', which would allow it to play its matches at a neutral venue.
According to a top source from the International Cricket Council (ICC), the sport's global governing body has reached a consensus to conduct the Champions Trophy in a hybrid model, which will allow India to play its share of matches in Dubai and “in principle ” agrees to a similar arrangement at multilateral events until 2027.
Naqvi briefed Sharif on Sunday about the behind-the-scenes developments, but the PCB did not reveal any details about the meeting.
“The Prime Minister assured his full support to the PCB on the issue and appreciated the stand of the (PCB) chairman on India's refusal to play Pakistan in the mega event,” the source said.
He said Naqvi was told by Sharif that not everything was about money and that Pakistan had to handle the matter while maintaining self-respect and pride.
“The PCB's stand reflects the sentiments of all Pakistanis when it comes to the Champions Trophy following India's refusal to play in Pakistan,” Geo TV quoted the Prime Minister as telling Naqvi at the meeting.
Naqvi has said that any decision on the Champions Trophy would be taken after advice from the government.
Another source close to the government said Naqvi had apparently met the Prime Minister at short notice to brief him on Pakistan's next move as the Indian cricket board was unwilling to accept the 'merger formula' proposed by the PCB to the ICC.
“Basically, Naqvi wanted to keep the Prime Minister informed and get his approval if the PCB decides to break the deadlock with a tough decision on the tournament,” the source said.
The ICC headquarters in Dubai have been at the center of discussion surrounding the PCB's proposed 'merger formula' for hosting ICC events in the coming years.
PCB wants the BCCI to accept a formula where if India does not play an ICC event in Pakistan, the neighboring team will also not visit India for any event.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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