2 weeks Ago By Faham Uddin
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)'s worst nightmare came true as BCCI refused to send team India to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy. This was always on the cards given the current scenario, but PCB was optimistic that the team would play the showpiece event in the country as the Men in Green had played the ODI World Cup in India. The PCB confirmed they received a mail from the ICC where the apex board cleared India's stance on the Champions Trophy, adding that they have forwarded it to the Pakistan government for their guidance.
In another development, PCB is set to write a letter to the ICC about India's participation in the Champions Trophy after completing legal consultations under the guidance of the Pakistan government. The federal government has given PCB policy guidelines regarding India, which will be used to seek clarification from the ICC about India's refusal to play in Pakistan. As per a report in Pakistan, the government has cleared that the India vs Pakistan match cannot take place outside Pakistan given the significance of the match.
The government has directed PCB to involve other boards and ask them for support as Pakistan have maintained positive conduct. The government said India has no moral or legal grounds to avoid playing in Pakistan. The BCCI wants the tournament to be played in a hybrid model, but if the Pakistan's government's recent stance is anything to go by, a hybrid model is unlikely to be followed.
Even PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi had earlier said they have not discussed the hybrid model for the Champions Trophy. "No discussions have been held regarding a hybrid model as of today, and we are not ready to discuss such a model," he told reporters recently. The current stand-off between India and Pakistan have put the Champions Trophy in jeopardy.
The schedule of the tournament was set to be revealed today in Lahore at a special event, however, the event now stands cancelled. It will be interesting to see what decision ICC takes after being sandwiched between the two Asian boards. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Cricket, Sports and around the world.
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