Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has expressed his support to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for not accepting the hybrid model for next year's Champions Trophy, scheduled to be played in Pakistan. The veteran all-rounder has blamed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for 'interweaving politics with sports' and called on the ICC to 'uphold fairness and assert their authority'. The ICC board meeting will take place on Friday to decide the schedule of the major tournament. The BCCI has told ICC that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan for the tournament due to the Indian government's refusal. However, the PCB is reluctant to host the entire tournament in Pakistan, leaving the future of the Champions Trophy uncertain.
Afridi added that Pakistan has traveled to India five times since the Mumbai terror attacks, which soured relations with neighboring countries.
“By intertwining politics and sports, the BCCI has placed international cricket in a precarious position. Fully support the PCB's position against the hybrid model – especially since Pakistan (despite security concerns) has toured India five times, including a bilateral white-ball series, after 26/11 it's time for the ICC and its Board of Governors to uphold fairness and assert their authority,” Afridi wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
By intertwining politics and sports, the BCCI has put international cricket in a precarious position. Fully support the PCB's position against the hybrid model – especially since Pakistan (despite security concerns) has toured India five times, including a bilateral white-ball… pic.twitter.com/Xl4YBhCWuB
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) November 28, 2024
The Champions Trophy will be held at three locations in Pakistan in February and March next year. But India, which has not toured Pakistan since 2008, told the ICC earlier this month that their government had not allowed them to travel to Pakistan for the event.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has insisted that the PCB remains “clear” in its view on hosting the Champions Trophy, adding that “it is not possible for Pakistan to play in India and that they do not come here.”
“Our position is very clear. I promise that we will do what is best for Pakistani cricket. I am in constant contact with the ICC chairman and my team is in constant communication with them. We are still clear in our position that this is not is the case.” It is acceptable that we play cricket in India and they don't play cricket here. Whatever will happen, it will happen on the basis of equality. We have told the ICC very clearly, and what happens next, we will let you know,” Naqvi said during a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium.
“Whatever we do, we will ensure that the best outcome for Pakistan is achieved,” Naqvi said several times. “But I repeat, and I am sure you understand what I mean, there is no way Pakistan is playing in India and they are not coming here,” he added.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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