The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) finds itself in a tough spot after the BCCI informed the ICC that India won't travel across the border for the Champions Trophy next year.
The PCB has already started preparations for the showpiece tournament, including upgrading its stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. However, reports are now claiming that the mega event will be held in a hybrid model.
The recent development has sparked strong reactions from the members of the Pakistan cricket fraternity. Former batter Basit Ali stated that India should lose two points if hybrid model gets adopted for the competition.
"Do you remember that in the 1996 World Cup Sri Lanka got 2-2 points after West Indies and Australia did not go. Try to put India and Pakistan in different pools, the ICC will refuse. Pakistan and India are always in the same pool because of money. If there is a hybrid model and India don't visit Pakistan, give Pakistan two points. It has happened before too, so try it now," Basit said on his YouTube channel.
The cricketing ties between India and Pakistan have been fraught with political and security issues since the 2008 Mumbai attack.
While the arch-rivals last played a limited-overs series in 2012, their last meeting in Tests was way back in 2007. In this period, they've only clashed in multi-nation tournaments such as the World Cup and the Asia Cup.
Notably, Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year but India played all of their matches in Sri Lanka under the 'Hybrid Model'.
Basit asked PCB to stay firm in their decision and said they should play all of their matches in Pakistan only. He also believes that ICC doesn't have the courage to ban Pakistan if they decide to pull out of the Champions Trophy.
"Pakistan should play all their matches in Pakistan. It is as simple as that. Pakistan should not participate if the Champions Trophy is taken from them and conducted in some other country. People are saying that the ICC will ban Pakistan if they don't participate. Try to ban Pakistan if you have the courage. Everyone will lose their sleep."
