LAHORE:The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally submitted its proposals to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in an effort to address the ongoing dispute with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about the ICC Champions Trophy. Despite the PCB’s efforts, the BCCI has yet to finalize its position on the matter, leading to uncertainty surrounding the tournament.
The core of the contention arises from India’s refusal to send its national team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, citing unspecified reasons for their withdrawal. However, sources told Dawn that the PCB has indicated a willingness to embrace a hybrid model, marking a notable change from its earlier refusal of the proposal. Under this model, both Pakistan and India would not host each other’s teams for ICC events, and matches would be played at neutral venues.
While the PCB’s acceptance represents progress, the BCCI is still deliberating on how to best proceed with the proposed hybrid model. The ICC has not yet scheduled a date for its Executive Board meeting to discuss the situation, leaving the future of the Champions Trophy hanging in the balance. An attempt to convene a meeting last Friday was postponed after just 15 minutes, with further delays attributed to national holidays in the UAE. The meeting is now expected to take place after Tuesday.
Several hurdles remain, even with the tentative agreement on the hybrid model. One significant issue is the BCCI’s reluctance to move the final of any future ICC tournaments hosted by India to a neutral venue, especially if Pakistan qualifies. Conversely, Pakistan has indicated its readiness to accept a neutral venue for the final, should India qualify for the 2025 tournament.
Additionally, the involvement of newly-elected ICC president Jay Shah—a member of India’s ruling political party—raises concerns. Shah notably refrained from traveling to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup, attributing his absence to the political tensions between the two nations. There is growing apprehension regarding whether he would attend a final in Pakistan, particularly if it were to feature a Pakistan victory.
The PCB has stressed the need for fairness in the suggested hybrid model, ensuring its team will not have to travel to India for ICC tournaments. This stance marks a departure from the PCB’s earlier insistence that all Champions Trophy matches be held in Pakistan.
As the tournament date approaches, a final decision is anticipated by the end of the week. The ICC had initially aimed to announce the tournament schedule by November 20, a deadline that has now passed without any official confirmation. With the event scheduled to begin on February 19, the urgency for timely arrangements is paramount, including broadcast schedules and other logistical considerations.
