Champions Trophy: PCB rejects 'huge Indian offer' for hybrid model
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected an Indian offer of hefty compensation for adopting the hybrid model for Champions Trophy 2025, a private media outlet has claimed.
According to reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) offered Pakistan a huge amount for adopting the hybrid model and hosting Indian matches of the upcoming tournament in United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The same was, however, rejected by the PCB.
While Pakistan is still adamant on hosting the entire tournament at home and has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in this regard, the cricket watchdog has not yet responded to PCB's letter in writing.
Despite the passage of several weeks, PCB is standing by its decision to host the tournament under a hybrid model and is insisting that India's group matches and knockout matches -- if they qualify -- be played in Lahore.
Pakistan is due to host the tournament in February-March 2025 but the refusal by the Indian government and the cricketing board to send their team to Pakistan has troubled the ICC. The deadline given by broadcasters for the schedule has also passed.
The Indian board, citing security issues, is adamant on holding all their matches in Dubai.
The final answer on whether Pakistan gets to host the event or not may come today. It is expected that the matter will be resolved through voting, in which Pakistan could lag behind.
Earlier, there were reports that PCB is taking a tough stance on the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision not to send its team to the Champions Trophy in Pakistan: considering a 'minus-India' formula in response.
The PCB has decided to use the examples from the 1996 and 2003 World Cup in its initial stance to adopt a tough stance against India.
In 1996, Australia and West Indies refused to play in Sri Lanka, while in 2003, New Zealand refused to play in Kenya and England refused to play in Zimbabwe. In response, the International Cricket Council (ICC) awarded points to the teams that were present on the ground for the scheduled matches, putting the teams that refused to participate at a disadvantage.
Geo reports that based on these examples, the PCB will assert that the ICC has never changed a venue in the past when teams failed to show up, and as a result, Pakistan will adopt a firm stance.
Pakistan may also propose a ‘minus India’ Champions Trophy on this basis, as India has not yet spoken about the Champions Trophy in writing. PCB will insist to the ICC that India submits all its positions in writing, sources have claimed.
Earlier, it was also reported that Pakistan would write a letter to the ICC in light of the government guidelines in the next day or two, for which the Board had also completed a legal consultation.
Earlier, the PCB denied all claims about the Indian team refusing to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025.
PCB source told The Current, "All speculations about Indian cricket board's letter to PCB or India not coming to Pakistan are baseless. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi's press conference in Gaddafi Stadium on November 8 is the latest update on this issue."
Mohsin Naqvi said that there should be no politics in the game and assured that the Board will continue preparations despite India not coming.
On the other hand, reports claimed that the government of Pakistan is likely to make tough decisions regarding India's refusal to come to the Champions Trophy.
The government is considering that if India does not participate at the agreed venues, Pakistan will not play any future matches with India, and until relations with India improve, they will not play any game with India in any tournament.
They are of the view that Pakistan always makes goodwill gestures, but India is always involved in politics.
If India does not participate in matches in Pakistan and the host country doesn't agree on the hybrid model, then there is a strong chance that Sri Lanka will replace India.