Kolkata : In another turn of events amongst on going tensions, PCB has rejected the Hybrid Model for ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The tournament which was supposed to be hosted completely by Pakistan officially saw hosting problems when BCCI refused to send the Indian team in Pakistan citing security reasons. Both the nations are also involved in various political turmoils throughout.
Due to BCCI’s refusal, ICC planned to make hybrid model for Indian team, where all India’s matches would be played in other possible venue outside Pakistan.
The PCB on Thursday, however, refused this idea and asked ICC to not bring up this topic in the board meeting of Friday, 29 November, 2024.
The ICC has convened a meeting of the executive members virtually to resolve the scheduling problem surrounding the event.
“I can confirm that PCB has a few hours back told the ICC that a Hybrid Model is not acceptable to them,” a source told PTI.
The PCB has been rigid in its opposition to the hybrid model and had advised the ICC to look at other options to stage the Champions Trophy.
They’re of the opinion that accepting hybrid model means giving preferential treatment to Indian team.
“I can confirm initially the PCB had looked at the possibility of a Hybrid model on the condition that if India can’t play in Pakistan, then in future there would be Hybrid models in all ICC events in India right until 2031 (ODI World Cup in India and Bangladesh) as Pakistan would not go and play in India,” the source said.
Another source confirmed that PCB has also reminded the ICC to inform whether the BCCI had submitted a letter in writing from their government stating that clearance was not given to the Indian team to play in Pakistan.
“Under ICC regulations if any team says its government is not allowing it to play in another nation on whatever grounds that board has to submit their government’s directives in writing which we have not seen so far,” the source said.
It said the PCB had acknowledged the contribution of the BCCI and Indian market in ICC’s income generation but reminded the ICC that as per numbers from the last few global events Pakistan also played a major part in ensuring the revenues through their matches against India.
The official venue for the tournament is yet to be decided.
