Team India will not travel across the border for the ICC tournament.
There was a lot of speculations about Team India travelling to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled in February-March next year.
However, it has now been confirmed that the Men in Blue will not travel across the border for the marquee event.
The PCB said on Sunday (November 10) that it received an email from the ICC about India's unwillingness to tour Pakistan. This development has sparked a massive debate among fans and former cricketers.
The chatter around the topic has also reached South Africa, where the Indian team is currently playing a four-match T20I series.
In a viral video on social media, a fan was seen asking India's T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav the real reason behind the team's decision to not travel to Pakistan.
"Mujhe ek baat bata saktein hai ke Pakistan kyu nahi aa rahe aap (Tell me why are you not coming to Pakistan)?", a fan asked Suryakumar.
In reply, Surya said: "Arrey bhaiya, hamare hath mein thodi hai (Brother, it is not in our hands)."
While the PCB has stayed mum on this matter, the sources claimed that the ICC has asked the Pakistan board to confirm if a Hybrid Model -- where India’s matches and the final would be held in Dubai -- is acceptable to them.
The ICC has assured the PCB that, under this arrangement, they would receive full hosting fees and a majority of the matches.
“The ICC has told the PCB that if it decides to go ahead with the hosting of the mega event on a Hybrid Model it would get its full hosting fees and majority of the matches,” the source said, as quoted by PTI.
However, if the PCB decides to withdraw hosting the tournament due to India's refusal, the ICC could consider shifting the entire tournament to South Africa, the source added.
Meanwhile, Pakistani media have reported that the PCB is looking to boycott the competition themselves if the Indian team maintains its stance of not travelling across the border.
"In such a case, one of the options the government is mulling is that of asking the PCB to ensure Pakistan don't participate in the Champions Trophy," Dawn quoted a source as saying.