Navi’s comments on Friday struck a more optimistic tone than the official line the PCB has previously taken on the issue of India’s alleged reluctance to travel to Pakistan. “In the last two months, the Indian media has been reporting that India is not traveling,” Naqvi said. “I have discussed this with them and my team, and our stance is clear: they must communicate to us in writing any objections they may have. So far, there has been no discussion on the hybrid model, nor are we willing to accept any. Indian media They report it, but no formal communication has reached the PCB.”
Naqvi also said he believed Pakistan had in the past shown “great gestures” towards India, referring to the team that traveled to India to play the ODI World Cup in 2023, despite India refusing to travel to Pakistan for the Cup. from Asia. That tournament eventually adopted a hybrid model, with the latter stages being played in Sri Lanka.
“If we receive a letter from India, I will have to go to my government and abide by its decisions. Pakistan has shown great gestures towards India in the past, and we would like to say clearly that India should not expect such friendly gestures from us every time [if they refuse to come]. The government will decide whether Pakistan will travel for any future event in India if they do not come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. “The PCB will not decide that.”
“cricket should be free of politics,” said Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s home minister. “No sport should be entangled with politics. If you don’t get along with another country, that’s another matter, but politics should not be involved in sport.”
“I don’t think anyone should turn this into a political issue. We will give each team as many facilities as we can. We would like fans from abroad to come to the tournament as well.”
Mohsin Naqvi
The PCB has said three venues – Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi – will be used for the tournament, but has offered to host all India’s matches in Lahore, which borders the Indian city of Amritsar, for logistical and security reasons. It would make the journey of any Indian fans traveling to attend the tournament relatively easier, and the PCB said it was prepared to arrange up to 17,000 visas for Indians during the tournament.
Naqvi said “almost all countries” wanted to watch the tournament in Pakistan and the PCB would provide whatever facilities it could. “Almost all countries want CT to be played here,” he said. “I am in contact with several boards of directors and they are all looking forward to playing here. I don’t think anyone should turn this into a political issue. We will give each team as many facilities as we can. We would like to see fans from abroad also come to the tournament.” .
ESPNcricinfo understands that the BCCI has not discussed the matter internally. The Indian board’s stance has not changed and it will await approval from the Indian government on whether or not to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. It could not be confirmed whether the BCCI formally wrote to the Indian government seeking its approval or even sought instructions informally.
The tournament is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, although the ICC is yet to officially announce the schedule.
Danyal Rasool is Pakistan correspondent for ESPNcricinfo. @danny61000
