PCB and BCCI are deadlocked on Naqvi's proposed's fusion formula for ICC events.
Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), revealed on Saturday that an International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting on the 2024 Champions Trophy had been postponed, leaving the tournament's future uncertain.
The Champion’s Trophy 2025 is set to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has declined to send Team India to Pakistan.
Addressing the media in Lahore, Naqvi announced that the ICC meeting had been postponed and promised to send updates once things were finalized.
“We had a meeting (with the ICC) today, it’s been postponed. Once the details have been finalized, we’ll update you,” Naqvi told reporters.
Naqvi refrained from commenting on developments involving the ICC or BCCI concerning the Champions Trophy. However, he reassured the public by stating, “We will not disappoint the nation.”
He admitted that conversations were ongoing but avoided making premature pronouncements, focusing on achieving the best possible conclusion for both Pakistan and international cricket. To prevent jeopardizing negotiations, Naqvi opted not to elaborate further.
“Talks are still ongoing, but I do not want to say anything premature. We are aiming to achieve the best for Pakistan and international cricket. If the ICC progresses, cricket will progress. If there is a dent in the ICC, it will be felt across the world,” he stated.
Naqvi described Pakistan's role in the discussions as "positive" but chose not to comment on the involvement of newly appointed ICC chief Jay Shah.
On the other hand, Firstpost has reported that though earlier it was stated that BCCI was ready to accept PCB’s demand to offer the Pakistan cricket team a similar hybrid model for ICC events in India till 2027, now things have changed.
As per the report, BCCI has not yet decided whether to accept the PCB's demand. This is logical, given that the BCCI reportedly rejected the PCB's proposed 'partnership' or 'fusion' arrangement, which would have allowed the Pakistan team to play their matches in a neutral venue when India hosted the ICC events.
“Sources told The Telegraph on Tuesday that the BCCI has sent a clear message to the ICC brass in this regard leading to a fresh impasse. The BCCI’s contention is simple — there is no security threat in India and hence no question of accepting such an arrangement,” a report in The Telegraph report had stated.
Pakistan’s Geo News on Saturday said that the ICC meeting was postponed because PCB has informed ICC that, “there is no purpose of any meeting until India responds to their demands”.
It also added that the PCB wants written assurance from ICC to “avoid complications” in the future.
“The PCB wants assurance from the ICC, not the BCCI, that the hybrid model will be implemented without issues. Everything must be documented to avoid future complications,” Geo News stated.
The recent development has only deepened the uncertainty surrounding the Champions Trophy 2025 schedule, with no quick resolution in sight.