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Mohsin Naqvi has categorically denied receiving any official word from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding India not travelling to Pakistan for the tournament.
Pakistan is set to host the 2025 edition of the Champions Trophy. (Image: AFP)
With earlier reports claiming that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have agreed to go ahead with a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy 2025, the PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi has categorically denied receiving any official word from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding India not travelling to Pakistan for the tournament.
According to a report by PTI, earlier reports claim that India has opted for a ‘Hybrid Model’ where all their games would be held in Dubai, as per PCB sources. A similar model was used in the 2023 Asia Cup where Pakistan played all their games at home but India played theirs in Sri Lanka. The India vs Pakistan clash also took place in Sri Lanka as well.
The report suggested that as per BCCI sources, India has already officially told the PCB that they would not travel to Pakistan for the tournament. But Naqvi who was present at a press meet at the Gaddafi Stadium, denied such information.
“Till today, no one has discussed any ‘Hybrid Model’ with us nor are we willing to talk about it. But we have been showing good gestures for the last few years and no one should expect us to do it all the time,” Naqvi told reporters.
He also added that if a written proposal was handed to the PCB addressing the government, he would be willing to follow as per the government’s mandate.
“I will take anything writing to the government and whatever decision they take we have to follow them,” Naqvi added.
“As far as we are concerned, the tournament is being held in Pakistan on schedule and all teams will play here. All the other boards are looking forward to playing in Pakistan,” he said.
Naqvi who is also the federal interior minister further said that talks are held all the time with other boards and nothing has changed.
“If we get anything in writing on India not coming or coming to Pakistan I will first share it with the government and media,” he added.
The PCB had proposed to BCCI that India could set up a base in Delhi or Chandigarh and just fly to Lahore on match days and return on the very day after proceedings but it was rejected.
The last time India travelled to Pakistan was in 2008 for the Asia Cup but since the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in that same year, the national team hasn’t toured the neighbouring country.
The ICC’s stand has always been that they don’t interfere in a particular country’s government policy. From December 1, BCCI’s outgoing secretary Jay Shah will be the head of the global body.
(with PTI Inputs)
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
