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BCCI has reportedly refused to send the Indian team for the next year’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
Mohsin Naqvi is hopeful of a positive decision from ICC meeting on Friday. (AP Photo)
PCB is not happy at BCCI’s continual refusal to send the Indian cricket team for tournaments across the border. On the other hand, Pakistan did travel to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup. The bilateral cricket ties between the two countries have been suspended for a long time due to their heightened diplomatic tensions and they only square off in either global or continental events.
Last year, BCCI cited Indian government’s refusal to give permission as the reason why the team didn’t travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup which was eventually played in hybrid model.
The next year’s Champions Trophy is slated to be held in Pakistan and BCCI has already shot a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) informing that India won’t be touring their neighbours for the marquee event.
“It is just not possible that while Pakistan keeps on going and playing in India all events the Indian authorities are not willing to send their team to play in Pakistan. We can’t have such an unequal situation,” Naqvi told reporters at the Gaddafi stadium during a visit to inspect the construction work for the Champions Trophy.
The ICC has suggested PCB to accept the hybrid model which will see India playing their matches at a neutral venue but Pakistan has been adamant at hosting the full tournament.
The ICC will reportedly hold an online meeting on Friday to take a vote on the potential solutions for the Champions Trophy and arrive at a final decision.
Naqvi is hopeful of a positive outcome.
“All I can assure is whatever happens in the meeting we will come out with good news and decisions which will be accepted by our people,” he said.
With BCCI secretary Jay Shah set to take over as the ICC Chairman from December 5, Naqvi says the Indian would take decisions that would benefit the governing body.
“Jay Shah takes charge in December, and I’m sure once he moves from the BCCI to the ICC, he will think about the ICC’s benefit, and that’s what he should do. Whenever anyone assumes such a role, he should only consider the interests of that organisation,” he said.
