Pakistan Will Not Accept Hybrid Champions Trophy: PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi

Mumbai: Pakistan, the reigning champions of the ICC Champions Trophy, is set to host the 2025 tournament from February 19 to March 9, marking its first ICC-hosted event since it shared the 1996 Cricket World Cup with India and Sri Lanka. However, India has raised security concerns, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly requesting that India’s matches be shifted to a neutral venue, specifically Dubai.

BCCI’s position follows a similar scenario from the Asia Cup last year, where Pakistan hosted the tournament, but India played all its matches in Sri Lanka due to concerns over player safety. The Indian board at the time cited a lack of governmental clearance to travel to Pakistan.

In response to Indian media reports on BCCI’s recent request, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf Naqvi clarified that the PCB had not received any formal communication from India regarding a “hybrid model” or a request to relocate matches. “In the last two months, Indian media has been reporting that India isn’t travelling. I discussed this with my team, and our stance is clear: they need to give us in writing any objections they may have,” Naqvi told reporters.

Naqvi emphasized that the PCB has no plans to adopt a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy, adding, “Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here. I remain in touch with several boards, and they’re all looking forward to playing here. I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter. We’ll give every team as many facilities as we can, and we’d like to see fans from abroad come for the tournament too.”

The Champions Trophy is expected to draw top international teams and fans, and Naqvi expressed confidence in Pakistan’s ability to host the tournament successfully. The PCB continues to work closely with other cricket boards, asserting Pakistan’s readiness to offer robust security measures for all participants. However, if India’s request remains unresolved, it could pose logistical challenges and potentially impact the tournament’s structure.

As the two boards navigate these differing stances, the Champions Trophy now stands as a symbol of both cricket diplomacy and regional dynamics in South Asia, with the world awaiting a resolution that balances sporting excellence and security concerns.

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