In a significant move ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, the Pakistani government has requested that the PCB reject the hybrid format for the competition.
After the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) declined to send the Indian squad to the competition, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi recently petitioned his nation’s government for help.
The Indian government’s decision to prevent the squad from travelling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy was communicated to the International Cricket Council (ICC) by the BCCI. Mohsin Naqvi went to the Pakistani government after the ICC told the PCB of India’s decision.
The Pakistani government has advised the PCB to reject the hybrid format for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
The Pakistani government has rejected the PCB’s request to hold the Champions Trophy using a hybrid format, according to RevSportz. It was believed that the hybrid model was the only way to get India to compete.
Breaking: The Pakistani government refused to provide PCB authorisation, stating that they would not even consider a hybrid model.
It is unclear what action the PCB and ICC would do next to ensure the event runs smoothly, given the Pakistani government has not permitted its cricket board to organise the competition under a hybrid model.
After Mohsin Naqvi notifies the ICC of his government’s decision, the international cricket organisation will likely make a final judgement. The tense political ties between India and Pakistan are causing the ICC to face significant challenges.
A major issue for ICC before the Champions Trophy
Less than 100 days remain until the competition, therefore the board must act quickly to guarantee that everything runs well.
Given India’s hesitancy to visit Pakistan in recent years, the ICC has been getting ready for the hybrid format for the past few months, even though the PCB has been adamant on hosting the entire tournament.
Pakistan was also supposed to host the 2023 Asia Cup, but due to India’s unwillingness to visit, the competition was held under a hybrid format. Consequently, Sri Lanka hosted India’s matches, including the championship game.
But this time, the PCB is adamant about holding the entire competition in Pakistan. India is the only nation to express a reluctance to go, even though every other nation has declared their intention to participate.
India final visit to Pakistan
Due to the tense political ties between the two countries following the 2008 Mumbai terror assault, which had ties to Pakistan, India has not visited Pakistan since 2008. The previous time India visited Pakistan for the Asia Cup, they came in second. That was in 2008.
The proposed schedule states that the Champions Trophy 2025 will take place between February 19 and March 9. The timetable will probably change today, though, as the BCCI has prohibited the Indian squad from travelling.
