- A hybrid option, where most matches are played in Pakistan, but those involving India are played outside Pakistan.
- The tournament is played entirely outside Pakistan, with the option for the PCB to retain hosting rights.
- The entire event is played in Pakistan, but without India.
The last of these options is almost impossible to start, given the negative financial and commercial impact it will have on the tournament. The chances of the first – a hybrid model – were reduced on Thursday after a PCB official told ESPNcricinfo that they had informed the ICC once again that this was out of the question. “The PCB has asked the ICC to submit a reasonable or acceptable proposal to Pakistan before the ICC Council meeting tomorrow,” the official said.
This, in fact, could be one of the conditions under which the PCB accepts any hybrid model for now: that the ICC would then consider the same option for tournaments in India, where Pakistan are unlikely – as of now – to be allowed to play. travel for your government.
Naqvi did not say whether Pakistan will play India in this tournament as they are attracted by the fact that they are in the same group. A hybrid model, or a complete relocation, means they will be scheduled to play at a neutral location; Not holding the game would also mean a significant commercial impact for the tournament.
“Whatever we do, we will ensure that the best outcome for Pakistan is achieved,” Naqvi said several times. “But I repeat, and I’m sure you know what I mean, it’s not possible for Pakistan to play in India and they don’t come here.”
Naqvi said the PCB would not be motivated by seeking any financial deal, quelling informal talk that the PCB might try to negotiate a heavier hosting fee in exchange for a hybrid model, promising “that we won’t just sell our rights, just for more money. That will never happen. But we will do what is best for Pakistan.” In any case, two countries for venues would require a revised budget for the tournament.
The meeting will be virtual and will probably only be voted on if there is no consensus within the council. But the pressure will be on to reach a resolution quickly as time runs out before the tournament and preparations for it begin. An alternative or additional location should be chosen depending on the option chosen by the board, and a schedule for the event should be finalized and published.
Additionally, the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the National Stadium in Karachi – two of Pakistan’s home venues – are undergoing significant renovation and modernization work in a race against time to be ready for the tournament. The PCB assured the ICC board that the facilities will be ready for the tournament by the end of this year.
Pakistan won the right to host the Champions Trophy in November 2021 and, if all goes according to plan, it will be the first ICC event they have hosted since the 1996 World Cup. But their status was disrupted when the BCCI informed the ICC earlier this month that his team had not received permission from the Indian government to travel to Pakistan.
This was not a surprise given that no Indian team had visited Pakistan since 2008, with the Mumbai attacks later that year sending relations between the two countries into a downward spiral. Pakistan has visited India three times since then, for a bilateral series in 2012-13, the 2016 T20 World Cup and most recently the 2023 ODI World Cup. That trip only came after a government committee had authorized despite considerable opposition from some members.
The PCB had to adopt a hybrid model for the Asia Cup just before the World Cup, but hoped that going to India would result in a reciprocal gesture for the Champions Trophy.
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