The ICC finds itself in a spot of bother as its all-powerful board meets on Friday (November 29, 2024) to thrash out the long-awaited schedule of next year’s Champions Trophy with an unyielding Pakistan refusing to consider the ‘Hybrid’ model of hosting the event. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters
A day before the stand-off over the Champions Trophy venue is expected to be over, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has placed a stringent condition on the hybrid model that is being discussed due to India’s inability to travel to Pakistan for the trophy. The BCCI is set to stick to its stand on not travelling to Pakistan.
With time running out for the tournament that is set to begin on February 20, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has called for an Emergent Meeting of the ICC Board, to be conducted through a conference call, on Friday.
Not travelling
Earlier this month, the BCCI had communicated to ICC that the squad will be unable to travel to Pakistan, based on a consultation with the Indian government.
As a result, the ICC had been in discussion with the PCB over hosting the tournament in Pakistan and Dubai.
On Thursday, the PCB is understood to have written to the ICC stating the hybrid model can be considered “only if the same is employed for other major tournaments to be hosted by India for the remaining tournament cycle” till 2031. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi had made the stand clear in a press conference on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, the BCCI is understood to remain firm on its stance during Friday’s conference call.
Stand justified
A BCCI insider confirmed to The Hindu that the recent protests in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital city, which led to Sri Lanka-A returning home midway through the tour has justified its stand.
“At any cost, we cannot even remotely put our cricketers’ safety in danger,” the source said, citing anonymity.
The ICC Board is likely to agree on India playing its matches, including knockouts, in Dubai.
While at least one semifinal will be played in Pakistan, the knockouts not featuring India are likely to be played in Pakistan.
The ICC Board is likely to agree on India playing its matches, including knockouts, in Dubai
Published – November 28, 2024 02:30 pm IST
