Pakistan ready to ease Team India’s concerns, no hybrid model: PCB chief

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi reiterated that Pakistan are not in favour of hosting the Champions Trophy in a hybrid model and offered to address India’s concerns over travel, urging them to specify their issues. Naqvi spoke to local media on Monday, 18 November, while inspecting renovation work at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Mohsin Naqvi confirmed media reports claiming that Pakistan had written to the International Cricket Council (ICC), requesting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to explain its reasons for not visiting the neighbouring nation, which holds the hosting rights for the prestigious 50-over competition.
The PCB chief said he is awaiting a response from the ICC to determine their next course of action but emphasised that Pakistan are not keen on a hybrid model.
The BCCI, in a letter to the ICC, stated that its senior men’s team would not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in February-March next year. The BCCI’s stance, coupled with the PCB’s refusal to adopt a hybrid model, has led to a standoff and delayed the announcement of the schedule for the marquee eight-team tournament.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has allocated 17 billion rupees for upgrading three venues: Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.
“Every other team that has qualified for the Champions Trophy is ready to come. No one has any concern,” Mohsin Naqvi said.
“If India have any concerns, we will talk, and we will ensure that concerns are taken care of. I don’t think there is any reason why India can’t come to Pakistan.
“Hopefully, all the teams will come,” he added.
Naqvi expressed confidence that the ICC would announce the Champions Trophy schedule soon, enabling Pakistan to proceed with its preparations.
“Sports and politics are separate things. I don’t want countries mixing them. We are hoping for the best.
“ICC will announce the schedule; I am sure they will announce it soon so that we can finalise the preparations.
“All the questions that we had, we have written to them. We are awaiting a reply,” he added.
When asked if the PCB would consider withdrawing from the tournament if Pakistan were required to host it in a hybrid model, Naqvi refrained from commenting directly but expressed hope that the entire tournament would be played in Pakistan.
“Pakistan’s respect is first and foremost. Rest, you will see what happens. Our stance is very clear; we have made it clear in the past,” he said.
Notably, Pakistan also held the hosting rights for the Asia Cup last year. However, the PCB was compelled to adopt a hybrid model, hosting four matches in Pakistan while Sri Lanka hosted the remaining nine, including the final, after India refused to travel.
India have not travelled to Pakistan for international cricket since the Asia Cup in 2008. The two teams have not played bilateral cricket since the 2012-13 season due to ongoing political tensions between the two neighbours.
Recently, BCCI had raised objections about Pakistan’s plan to host the Champions Trophy trophy tour in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), prompting the ICC to announced a revised ternary.