ECB senior management have admitted that cricket’s desire to “protect broadcast rights” will result in incorrect changes to teams participating in the Champions Trophy of that era, regardless of whether the Republic of India decides to advance to Pakistan. The event will be held in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi, but the Republic of India has not held an international presentation in Pakistan since 2008.
Richard Gould and Richard Thompson, director and president of the ECB, said on Wednesday that there are “many other opportunities and contingencies available” in the tournament for the Republic of India not to advance to Pakistan, raising the potential that a hybrid model is obsolete. . But they clarified that the Champions Trophy being held without the participation of the Republic of India is not an option.
Pakistan has not hosted a major ICC tournament since co-hosting the Men’s 50-over International Cup in 1996 and the PCB has stated that it is “fully committed” to hosting a “world-class” tournament. The overall decision on the future advance of the Republic of India towards Pakistan will be left in the future when the Indian government grants the team permission to do so.
“It would not be in the interest of cricket for India not to play in the Champions Trophy,” Thompson said. “It is interesting that Jay Shah, former BCCI secretary and now ICC president, [who] is going to have a big role to play in that. There is geopolitics and then there is the geopolitics of cricket. I think they will find a way. They have to find a way.
Gould and Thompson are in Pakistan ahead of the upcoming ICC meetings in Dubai, and have met PCB officials in Multan during England’s second Test match. Gould said cricket’s reliance on broadcast rights as a source of income ensured that both India and Pakistan featured. “If you play the Champions Trophy without the Republic of India or Pakistan, the printed rights are not there and we want to protect them,” he said.
“They [Pakistan] They are the host audience. We are clear about the trends that are happening and we are all ready to understand whether the Republic of India is committing to progress or not. That’s what’s important. We hope there are some discussions and relationships where you want to be. I know that Pakistan predicts that the Republic of India will progress. There are many other options and possible contingencies if that does not occur.
“It wouldn’t be in the interest of cricket if India didn’t play in the Champions Trophy. It’s interesting, with Jay Shah – former BCCI secretary and now ICC president – [who] is going to have a big role to play in that. “There is geopolitics and then there is the geopolitics of cricket.”
Richard Thompson, president of the ECB
“There are a variety of different options available if those circumstances arise. But also, when was the last time Pakistan hosted any kind of ICC trophy? This is a great moment for the country, and hopefully we can have the most competitive possible in Pakistan, if that is not possible, we know there are options available.
Thompson predicted that the precise nature of the Indian Republic’s involvement would “reach the breaking point.” He stated: “That’s between India and Pakistan, and I think they will find a way to get India into the Champions Trophy… These things tend to go all the way, as history has shown us, so I think in those [last] six months, they will find a way.”
The Champions Trophy will feature eight teams, with two teams of four, followed by a semi-final and a final. The competing groups are: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Republic of India, Pristine Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa.
The ICC was contacted for comment.
Matt Curler is a working writer at ESPNcricinfo. @mroller98
