Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif has now assured Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi of complete support as he engages in a standoff with BCCI over the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 tournament.
Sharif has stated that the country should keep its self-respect while dealing with the matter, according to sources. Sharif, who is also the patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), also warned Naqvi that it wasn't just about money, and that public feeling should be considered.
"The Prime Minister assured his complete support to the PCB on the issue and appreciated the stance taken by the (PCB) chairman on India refusing to play in Pakistan in the mega-event," a source stated as per PTI.
Pakistan is to host the ICC event, their first since the 1996 World Cup, in February-March next year and it will feature 8 teams including the hosts. Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi have been shortlisted as venues for the Champions Trophy 2025.
However, a spanner was thrown into the planning for CT 2025, after India refused to play its Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan and instead demanded the tournament be played in a 'hybrid model', which would allow it to play its matches at a neutral venue.
According to a top International Cricket Council (ICC) source, the sport's global governing body has reached an agreement to run the Champions Trophy in a hybrid model, allowing India to play its share of matches in Dubai while agreeing "in principle" to a similar arrangement in multilateral events until 2027.
PCB wants the BCCI to accept a formula under which if India does not play any ICC event in Pakistan, the neighboring team will also not visit India for any event.
However, reports have emerged that BCCI has rejected the fusion formula suggested by PCB as it stated that there was no security issue in India and hence there was no need for such kind of arrangement.
He claimed that Sharif advised Naqvi that everything was not about money and that Pakistan should handle the situation with dignity and honor.
"The stance adopted by the PCB reflects the feelings of all Pakistanis when it comes to the Champions Trophy after the refusal of India to play in Pakistan," Geo TV quoted the premier as telling Naqvi during the meeting.
According to another government source, Naqvi met with the Prime Minister on short notice to brief him on Pakistan's next steps, after the Indian cricket body refused to accept the PCB's "fusion formula" submitted to the ICC.
"Basically, Naqvi wanted to keep the PM updated and get his approval if the PCB decides to break the deadlock with any tough decision on the tournament," the source said.
(PTI inputs)
