The PCB is yet to hear from the ICC on questions over India’s unwillingness to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy next February.
Despite the lack of response, PCB president Mohsin Naqvi said on Monday he maintained “positive expectations” about the tournament, the first ICC event Pakistan will host since 1996.
“We have sent them [ICC] “The questions we had,” Naqvi said in a media interaction at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. “We are still waiting for their response. I think sport and politics are separate and no country should mix them. Even now I have positive expectations about the Champions Trophy.”
Naqvi also said that the PCB intended to maintain its stance (of not using a hybrid model for the tournament) and will not change it. But he did say he was willing to talk to the BCCI about the situation in a bid to break the deadlock.
“At this moment, all the teams that have qualified for the Champions Trophy are ready to come,” he said. “Nobody has any problem. I will also say today that if India has any concern, tell us about it, we can alleviate it. I don’t think there is any reason for them not to visit us.”
Asked if the PCB would consider the option of boycotting the event in case its hosting rights were taken away, Naqvi said: “Pakistan’s pride is of paramount importance.”
“My feeling is that the ICC will have to think about their credibility, that they are an organization for all organizations in the world”
Mohsin Naqvi
Naqvi was asked about the trophy tour of the event, which began on Saturday in Islamabad but with a modified route after the BCCI raised objections with the ICC.
“My feeling is that the ICC will have to think about its credibility, that it is an organization for all organizations in the world,” Naqvi said. “And that route has been rescheduled, we have not been informed of any cancellation.”
Naqvi said he hoped the ICC would announce the tournament schedule soon so that the PCB could continue its preparations for the event.
