The International Cricket Council has advised Pakistan to either adopt the ‘Hybrid’ model of hosting next year’s Champions Trophy or face expulsion from the event, following an inconclusive meeting of the PCB’s executive board on Friday. The emergency meeting was supposed to finalize the event’s program for February-March next year, but it failed to reach an agreement after Pakistan rejected the ‘Hybrid’ concept yet again, despite India’s categorical reluctance to visit there due to security concerns.
It is understood that the majority of ICC board members were sympathetic to Pakistan’s position, but PCB president Mohsin Naqvi was encouraged to accept the ‘Hybrid’ model as the only “plausible solution” to the current crisis. If the ‘Hybrid’ model is implemented, India’s Champions Trophy matches will be hosted in the UAE.
“Look, a broadcaster will only pay for an ICC event with India, and Pakistan is well aware of this. “If not, then the ICC Committee might have to relocate the tournament entirely to a different country (which might include the UAE too) but it will be held without Pakistan,” according to him.
Friday’s meeting, headed by deputy chairperson Imran Khwaja due to departing head Greg Barclay’s unspecified absence, was brief, with Naqvi repeating his country’s position. “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 and continue its meetings over
In Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) repeated the BCCI’s position that the Indian squad cannot travel to Pakistan for security reasons. “The BCCI released a statement. They have stated that there are security issues there, and so it is unlikely that the squad will travel there,” said an MEA spokesperson during a routine session when the country’s Winners Trophy participation was addressed.
Naqvi attended the conference in person because he has been in Dubai since Thursday to promote Pakistan’s stance. Jay Shah, BCCI secretary, attended the meeting online. Shah will become the new president of the International Criminal Court on December 1.
It is claimed that if the event is rescheduled, the PCB will have to forfeit its hosting fee of USD six million as well as gate money. There could also be a large reduction in their annual revenue, which is now estimated at USD 35 million. Unless the ‘Hybrid Model’ is applied, even the ICC will be in trouble, as official broadcaster Star will renegotiate the multibillion-dollar agreement with the body.