ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has become a trending topic since the last month. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is trying his best to convince BCCI to play their matches in Pakistan. Even Mohsin Naqvi had suggested to BCCI that team India can go back to Amritsar after the end of their match but BCCI has made it very clear that they haven’t got permission from the Indian government to play matches in Pakistan.
The schedule of the championship is not yet announced by ICC and a hybrid model is suggested by ICC where India play their matches in UAE or Sri Lanka. Even according to sources with knowledge, the entire tournament can be shifted to South Africa if PCB doesn’t agree for hybrid model.
I don’t think there is any reason for India not to visit Pakistan for ICC Champions Trophy- Mohsin Naqvi
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was having an interaction with the media at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Mohsin Naqvi pointed out that apart from India, no other team has complained about the security issues in Pakistan. Mohsin Naqvi stated that ICC should think about their credibility and said that ICC is an organisation for all world bodies and he indirectly said ICC shouldn’t only think about BCCI.
“We have sent them [ICC] the questions we had. We are still waiting for their response. I believe that sports and politics are separate and no country should mix the two. Even now I still have positive expectations about the Champions Trophy,” said Mohsin Naqvi.
“At this moment, every team that has qualified for the Champions Trophy is ready to come. Nobody has any issues. I will say today also, if India has any concerns, speak to us about them, we can ease those concerns. I don’t think there is any reason for them not to visit,” he stated.
“Pakistan’s pride is of primary importance.”My feeling is that the ICC will have to think about its credibility, that are they an organization for all the world’s bodies. And that route has been rescheduled, we haven’t been told about any cancellation,” he added.
Concerns for PCB
The mother of all rivalries: India vs Pakistan; can be badly impacted given the high octane clash between this two teams has been mouthwatering since ICC T20 WC 2021. Even England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has stated that a tournament without BCCI would severely hit the viewership.
It looks unlikely that BCCI will agree to play ICC CT 2025 in Pakistan and who knows South Africa can get the hosting rights from nowhere. PCB in the past in ICC ODI 2023 had said that they will not play in India as earlier India had opted for a hybrid model for Asia Cup 2023 (*Pakistan were host for that tournament). A decision for ICC CT 2025 is expected to be made by 24th November and it won’t be wrong to say that a hybrid model will be a better option as at least PCB will have hosting rights.