NEW DELHI: The uncertainty over Team India’s travel to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in February next year continues.
Reports emerged Friday that BCCI had informed Pakistan Cricket Board that it won’t send the Indian team to Pakistan for the tournament. TOI understands BCCI has conveyed its wish to play its matches in Dubai. But PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi denied receiving any formal communication from BCCI.
ICC has set no deadline for declaring the tournament fixtures. ICC usually tries to announce these details at least three months in advance. BCCI had delayed announcing the ODI World Cup fixtures last year after PCB objected to playing in Ahmedabad.
As per standard practice, BCCI must obtain clearance from the Indian govt before taking any call on team’s travel to Pakistan.
“BCCI’s stance remains unaltered. The board doesn’t take any call without the govt’s nod. It has been communicated to PCB that the Indian team is unlikely to travel to Pakistan,” a BCCI source told TOI on Friday.
Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar’s recent visit to Pakistan had raised hopes in cricketing circles that India might agree to play in Pakistan.
It is learnt that the board decided on Dubai after talking to the Indian team management. “If India play their matches in Dubai, it will be convenient for PCB to host the matches there. It’s a short flight from Pakistan to Dubai and other teams will not be averse to the idea,” the source added.
🔴 LIVE: India refuse to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy, want matches in Dubai | BTB Live
“Till today, no one has discussed any hybrid model with us nor are we willing to talk about it. But we have been showing good gestures for the last few years and no one should expect us to do it all the time,” Naqvi told reporters in Lahore on Friday evening.
PCB had agreed on a hybrid model while hosting the Asia Cup in 2023 with India playing all their matches in Sri Lanka. Pakistan had eventually agreed to play India in Ahmedabad during the ODI World Cup as well.
As things stand, if things don’t change on BCCI’s front, PCB will have to take the matter to the ICC where incumbent BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who assumes office as chairman of the ICC on Dec 1, will have to take a decision on the issue. As per policy, ICC doesn’t interfere in any country’s diplomatic policies.
Sources said BCCI wants the decision on this issue to be taken before Shah takes charge as ICC’s chairman.
If PCB eventually agrees to the hybrid model, it will be interesting to see which venue ICC suggests for the final. “Ideally, the final should be played in Dubai. One should not have an ambiguous venue for the final. Other teams also must know in advance where the final of such an important tournament will be played,” said the source.
PCB had reportedly floated the idea of Indian team setting up a base in Chandigarh and travelling to Lahore only on match days. However, that idea is deemed as a logistical nightmare.