The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly told the International Cricket Council (ICC) that it will not agree to a hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The PCB has also urged the ICC to exclude the option from discussions during their virtual meeting on Friday, November 29.
Pakistan was originally set to host the Champions Trophy from February 19 to March 9. However, India’s refusal to play in Pakistan has sparked controversy and delayed the schedule’s announcement. The ICC aims to finalize the event’s schedule during Friday’s meeting.
According to a report by PTI, the PCB has made it clear that the hybrid model is unacceptable. Ahead of the ICC meeting, PTI quoted a source as saying:
“I can confirm that PCB has a few hours back told the ICC that a Hybrid Model is not acceptable to them.”
According to the report, the PCB argued that adopting the hybrid model for the tournament would amount to favoritism toward India. The source added that if the 2025 Champions Trophy proceeds with the hybrid model, the PCB would refuse to send its team to India for ICC events until 2031.
“I can confirm initially the PCB had looked at the possibility of a Hybrid model on the condition that if India can’t play in Pakistan, then in future there would be Hybrid models in all ICC events in India right until 2031 (ODI World Cup in India and Bangladesh) as Pakistan would not go and play in India,” the source said.
https://x.com/samaatv/status/1862156229227016646?s=46
The PCB has asked the ICC if the BCCI submitted written proof from their government denying clearance for India to play in Pakistan. India last toured Pakistan in 2008, while in last year’s Asia Cup, India played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model.
Pakistan triumphed over India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final
The fierce rivals faced off at The Kennington Oval in London, where Pakistan batted first and amassed 338-4, with Fakhar Zaman smashing 114 off 106 balls. In response, India were bowled out for 158 in 30.3 overs, suffering a massive 180-run defeat. Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali were the standout bowlers for Pakistan, taking three wickets each.
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