PCB Chairman shuts down any “hybrid model” conversations as rumors surface of India rejecting to travel Pakistan.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said his board was “not prepared to accept” a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy
Naqvi maintains that Pakistan was getting ready to host the competition in its entirety. Speaking to the media at the Gaddafi Stadium, which is being renovated in preparation for the Champions Trophy, Naqvi stated that the PCB had not received any formal correspondence from the BCCI expressing any concerns over the Indian team’s play in Pakistan.
Compared to the official stance the PCB has previously taken on the matter of India’s alleged hesitancy to visit Pakistan, Navi’s comments on Friday had a more upbeat tone.
“In the last two months, the Indian media has been reporting that India isn’t travelling,” Naqvi said. “I discussed this with them and my team, and our stance is clear: they need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one. The Indian media are reporting it, but no formal communication has reached the PCB.”
In addition, Naqvi stated that he thought Pakistan had already made “great gestures” to India. He cited the team’s 2023 trip to India to compete in the ODI World Cup, even though India had declined to visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup. In the end, that competition switched to a hybrid format, with the final phases taking place in Sri Lanka.
“If we get a letter from India, I’ll have to go to my government and abide by their decisions. Pakistan has shown great gestures to India in the past. We’d like to say clearly India shouldn’t expect such friendly gestures from us every time [if they refuse to come]. The government will decide if Pakistan travel for any future event in India if they don’t come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The PCB will not decide that.”
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister, said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. If you don’t get along with another country, that’s another matter, but politics should not be involved in sport.”