Accept hybrid model or Champions Trophy may be moved out, ICC slams PCB: Sources
New Delhi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is not ready for the hybrid model. Now the International Cricket Council (ICC) will hold a meeting with all the boards on Saturday, November 30 and decide on the Champions Trophy. This follows the Indian government’s refusal to grant permission for its team to travel to Pakistan.
The Pakistan Cricket Board remained firm and expressed its unwillingness to accept the hybrid model, insisting that all matches be held in Pakistan. However, they were told this arrangement would not be feasible. In response, the PCB has sought a day to consult internally with the Pakistan government, and the ICC Board is expected to reconvene on Saturday, November 30.
Sources indicate that the Pakistan Cricket Board will likely agree to the hybrid model after discussions with their government about the current deadlock. This decision could pave the way for a resolution and ensure Pakistan retains some hosting rights for the Champions Trophy 2025.
It is worth mentioning that during a brief virtual meeting on Friday, attended by 12 full ICC members, three associate members, and the ICC Chair, no consensus was reached. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi attended the meeting from Dubai.
“The ICC Board did meet briefly today. All parties continue to work towards a positive resolution for the Champions Trophy 2025 and it is expected that the Board will reconvene on Saturday,” a senior administrator of an ICC full member nation, who is also a part of the Board, told PTI.
Potential Scenarios:
Pakistan agrees to the Hybrid Model: India’s matches, one semi-final, and the final would be held in Dubai, while the remaining matches would take place in Pakistan. The PCB would retain hosting rights.
Pakistan rejects the Hybrid Model: Should the PCB refuse the proposal, the ICC Board could vote against their stance. If the PCB remains adamant, its hosting rights may be revoked and awarded to a third country. This could potentially lead to Pakistan boycotting the tournament altogether.
No global tournament can practically take place without the participation of India, which has the richest cricket board.
Hence, a hybrid model is the only plausible solution if Pakistan is to host it. They have been stubborn so far but will have to forego their hosting fee of $6 million along with gate revenue if the tournament is taken out of Pakistan.
There is no other window available for the tournament except for the earmarked period between February 19 and March 9, as the IPL will be held soon after the Champions Trophy and some participating nations have bilateral engagements also. So Pakistan may have to finally buckle under pressure unless they decide to boycott the Champions Trophy.