The PCB is yet to hear from the ICC on the issues surrounding India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy next February.
Despite the lack of response, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Monday that he maintained “positive expectations” about the tournament, the first ICC event Pakistan will host since 1996.
“We sent them [ICC] the questions we had,” Naqvi said in a press briefing at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. “We are still waiting for their response. I believe that sport and politics are separate and no country should mix the two. Even now I still have positive expectations regarding the Champions Trophy.”
Naqvi further said that the PCB intends to maintain its stance – of not using a hybrid model for the tournament – and will not change it. But he said he was willing to talk to the BCCI about the situation in a bid to break the impasse.
“Right now, all the teams that qualified for the Champions Trophy are ready to come,” he said. “No one has any problems. I will say today too, if India has any concerns, talk to us about them, we can alleviate those concerns. I don’t think there is any reason for them not to visit us.”
When asked whether the PCB would consider the option of boycotting the event if hosting rights were taken away from it, Naqvi said: “Pride of Pakistan is of paramount importance.”
“My feeling is that the ICC will have to think about its credibility, the fact that it is an organization for all bodies in the world”
Mohsin Naqvi
Naqvi was asked about the event’s trophy tour, which began on Saturday in Islamabad but with a changed route after the BCCI raised objections to the ICC.
“My feeling is that the ICC will have to think about its credibility, the fact that it is an organization for all bodies in the world,” said Naqvi. “And this route was rescheduled, we were not informed of any cancellation.”
Naqvi said he hoped the ICC would soon announce the tournament schedule so that the PCB could continue preparations for the event.
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