The PCB has written to the ICC and asked them to provide written confirmation from the BCCI that they cannot play the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, along with giving a reason for the same.
Last Friday, the ICC informed the PCB that the Indian government had not given permission to the BCCI for the Indian team to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, scheduled to be played at three venues in Pakistan from February 9. But the PCB wants to communicate in writing to the BCCI its inability to attend, as well as the justification for the same.
That communication from the ICC came three days before what would have been the tournament’s official launch event in Lahore, starting a 100-day countdown. Instead, the event was postponed and now uncertainty swirls around the eight-team tournament.
The PCB’s stance for the moment remains unchanged: the entire tournament will be played in Pakistan and a senior PCB official reiterated to ESPNcricinfo that there is “no possibility” of a hybrid model being considered. Such a model, used once for the Asia Cup in 2023, would allow India to play its matches outside Pakistan. There has been speculation about using the UAE as a second venue in this case, but the PCB has unequivocally ruled it out. The tournament will be played in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi between February 19 and March 9.
One of the reasons the PCB is standing firm at the moment is because they feel aggrieved by the events of the past year. After being forced to use a hybrid model to host the Asia Cup, Pakistan agreed to travel to India for the World Cup. That decision was taken after consultation with the government and permission was eventually granted, despite considerable opposition, in the hope that India would reciprocate and visit the country to play in the Champions Trophy.
The same government still stands in Pakistan and Mohsin Naqvi, an important figure within it as the country’s interior minister, is now the chairman of the PCB.
The PCB has also pointed out that the tournament was awarded to Pakistan three years ago and no objection was raised at that time, nor has it been raised since. The PCB is believed to have provided a progress report at ICC board meetings in October, including the intention to go ahead with the 100-day launch event on November 11, without concerns being raised.
The ICC has been contacted for comment.
