PCB Awaits ICC Response on India's Champions Trophy Stance

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has revealed that the board is still awaiting a response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding India's reluctance to travel to Pakistan for next year's Champions Trophy. The PCB has formally reached out to the ICC, seeking clarification and specific details on the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision, which was conveyed to the global governing body.

The PCB has requested that the ICC provide a written response from the BCCI, along with the date on which the Indian board officially informed the ICC of its stance. Despite the ongoing ambiguity surrounding the tournament, Naqvi voiced his optimism about successfully hosting the Champions Trophy—the first ICC event in Pakistan since 1996. “We have sent them (ICC) the questions we had. We are still waiting for their response. I believe that sports and politics are separate and no country should mix the two. Even now I still have positive expectations about the Champions Trophy,” Naqvi stated during a press interaction at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Confidence in Hosting

Naqvi emphasized that all teams, except India, have shown willingness to participate in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. He firmly ruled out the possibility of hosting the tournament under a hybrid model. “At this moment, every team that has qualified for the Champions Trophy is ready to come. Nobody has any issues. I will say today also, if India has any concerns, speak to us about them, we can ease those concerns. I don't think there is any reason for them not to visit,” he remarked.

When asked about the potential of the PCB boycotting the event if Pakistan’s hosting rights were revoked, Naqvi responded, “Pakistan's pride is our top priority.”

Adjustments to the Trophy Tour

The PCB recently faced challenges after the BCCI raised objections with the ICC over the Champions Trophy trophy tour route, which was initially set to pass through three cities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The original route, announced last week, included Muzaffarabad, the capital of PoK, and two other cities in the region. Although these locations were subsequently removed following the BCCI’s complaint, the tour has not been officially cancelled.

Naqvi clarified that the trophy tour will resume in Pakistan in January after visiting the other seven participating nations. “My feeling is that the ICC will have to think about its credibility, that they are an organisation for all the world's bodies. And that route has been rescheduled, we haven't been told about any cancellation,” he added.

The PCB remains hopeful that the ICC will address their concerns and ensure a fair resolution that upholds the integrity of global cricket and the credibility of the sport’s governing body.