Champions Trophy | Pakistan may pull out of event after India's refusal to travel: Report
Pakistani media speculated on potential responses, including the Pakistan government advising the PCB to avoid playing India altogether
Pakistan may withdraw from the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, according to a report in news publication Dawn, if its hosting rights are stripped following India’s refusal to travel to the country.
The report quoted ‘official sources’ as saying that the Pakistan government is likely to ask the Pakistan Cricket Board to refuse to stop playing India in any ICC or Asian Cricket Council events until issues are resolved between the countries.
Proposal for hybrid model
Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council has sought a response from the Pakistan Cricket Board on hosting the Champions Trophy in a hybrid model following India's refusal to travel to the country for the tournament, said a PTI report.
Also read: India not travelling to Pakistan for CT: PCB seeks govt advice after ICC's letter
The PCB on Sunday had confirmed that it received an email from the ICC that India declined to travel to the neighbouring country.
“Unless the PCB decides to pull out of hosting the Champions Trophy the current plan is to hold India’s matches in UAE and the final in Dubai,” a source told PTI on Monday.
“The Indian Cricket Board has told the ICC that a hybrid model is acceptable to them only if the final is held in Dubai and not in Pakistan,” the source added.
PCB remains tight-lipped
The PCB on Monday remained silent without giving any reaction to the BCCI informing the ICC it will not send its team to play in Pakistan in the Champions Trophy.
But according to sources, the ICC has asked the PCB 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.
Shifting event to South Africa?
However, if the PCB decides to pull out of hosting the tournament due to India's refusal, the ICC could consider moving the entire event to South Africa, the source added.
Earlier, a PCB source had said there was "no talk" of a Hybrid Model as of now and they would seek further clarity from the ICC.
"There is no talk about having the Champions Trophy on a hybrid model system as of now," a reliable PCB source told PTI.
"An email is to be sent to the ICC with the advice of its legal department in which the Board wanted clarifications from the ICC on the Indian decision," the source said.
Also read: Champions Trophy: Team India won't travel to Pakistan, BCCI tells ICC
Speculations rife in Pakistan
"As of now the entire situation is being gauged by the PCB. No decision has been taken on the next step. Yes the PCB is in touch with the government for consultation and directives if required," the source added.
Meanwhile, Pakistani media speculated on potential responses, including the Pakistan government advising the PCB to avoid playing India altogether or the PCB pursuing legal action against the ICC and BCCI at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Geneva.
India have not travelled to Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai terror strikes. The two teams compete against each other only in ICC tournaments.
(With agency inputs)
