PCB Threatens to Withdraw From ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Altogether If Pakistan Loses Hosting Rights of Tournament: Report
BCCI confirmed that team India will not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to security reasons and this decision complicated further announcements. Sensing that the hosting rights of the Champions Trophy might be under threat, PCB took a strong stand and even threatened to withdraw from the tournament as per a newspaper in Pakistan.
Pakistan may withdraw from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in case the tournament’s hosting rights are stripped of the country as per reports from leading news agency Dawn. This decision was said to be taken in the wake of India’s refusal to travel across the border which halted further announcements like schedule and confirmation of venues. PCB Set To Write Letter to ICC After BCCI Refusal To Play Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan.
India’s refusal hinted at two options – a hybrid model for the matches or completely shifting the tournament to another region. In the report, it is mentioned that the PCB received an email from ICC updating them about BCCI’s decision not to send team India to Pakistan. PCB representative confirmed to Dawn that the matter has been forwarded “to the Government of Pakistan for their advice and guidance.”
Earlier PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi ruled out the possibility of a “hybrid model” which provided options for team India to play their matches at a neutral venue while the remaining tournament was to be played in Pakistan. But if neither BCCI nor PCB agrees to the solutions, the International Cricket Council (ICC) may propose shifting the tournament entirely to another country. Mohammad Hafeez Urges Strong Response From Pakistan Government and PCB After BCCI Refuses To Travel For ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Says ' It Was A Daydream'.
PCB insider informed Dawn, “In such a case, one of the options the government is mulling is that of asking the PCB to ensure Pakistan don’t participate in the Champions Trophy,” adding that the federal government was looking at the issue “seriously”. A similar narrative prevails in the offices of the federal government, of which Mohsin is a part of Pakistan’s interior minister. Going a step further Dawn reported that the government may go on to ask the PCB to refuse to play against India in any of the ICC or Asian Cricket Council tournaments till India and Pakistan resolve their issues at the government level.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 12, 2024 01:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).