The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and asked them to provide a written confirmation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that they are unable to play the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, as well as giving a reason for it.
The PCB was told last Friday by the ICC that the BCCI has not been given permission by the Indian government for the Indian team to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, scheduled to be played across three venues in Pakistan from February 9.
But the PCB wants it in writing from the BCCI that they are unable to attend, as well as the justification for it.
That ICC communication came three days before what would’ve been the official launch event for the tournament in Lahore, starting a 100-day countdown.
Instead, the event has been postponed, with uncertainty now swirling around the eight-team tournament.
The PCB’s stance at the moment remains unchanged: the entire tournament will be played in Pakistan with a senior PCB official reiterating to ESPNcricinfo there is “no chance” of a hybrid model being considered.
Such a model, used once for the Asia Cup in 2023, would allow India to play their games outside of Pakistan.
There has been speculation about the UAE being used as a second venue in this instance but the PCB has unequivocally ruled that out.
The tournament is scheduled to be played in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi between February 19 and March 9.
As well as that stance, there is also a growing realisation that with the Pakistan government now involved, any decisions on hosting and hybrid models may not be driven by the PCB but will be firmly in the government’s hands.
One of the reasons the PCB is standing firm at the moment is because they feel aggrieved by events last year.
After they were forced to use a hybrid model in hosting the Asia Cup, Pakistan agreed to travel to India for the World Cup.
That decision was taken after consultation with the government and permission was ultimately granted – despite considerable opposition – on the hope that it would lead to India reciprocating by visiting for the Champions Trophy.
The same government remains in place in Pakistan and Mohsin Naqvi, a senior figure within it as the country’s interior minister, is now the PCB chairman.
The PCB has also pointed out that the tournament was awarded to Pakistan three years ago and no objection was raised at the time, or has been raised since.
The PCB is believed to have provided a progress report at the ICC’s board meetings in October including the intention to go ahead with the 100-day launch event on November 11, with no concerns raised.
The ICC has been approached for comment. (ESPNcricinfo)
