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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi reaffirmed that his country is against hosting the Champions Trophy in a hybrid model. He also offered to help India with its travel worries but asked them to be specific. On Monday, November 18, Naqvi addressed the local media while examining the renovations being made to Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium.
Mohsin Naqvi affirmed media reports stating that Pakistan, which has the hosting rights for the prestigious mega tournament, wrote to the International Cricket Council (ICC) asking the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to explain why it would not be visiting the neighbouring country.
The PCB president emphasized that Pakistan is not interested in a hybrid model and stated that he is awaiting an answer from the ICC to decide their future course of action. In a letter to the ICC, the BCCI announced that its senior men's squad will not be going to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, which is set for February or March of the following year. The PCB's reluctance to embrace a hybrid model and the BCCI's position has caused a stalemate and postponed the release of the schedule for the highly anticipated eight-team competition.
"Every other team that has qualified for the Champions Trophy is ready to come. No one has any concern. If India have any concerns, we will talk, and we will ensure that concerns are taken care of. I don't think there is any reason why India can't come to Pakistan. Hopefully, all the teams will come," said Mohsin Naqvi
Naqvi said he is certain the ICC will soon release the Champions Trophy schedule so Pakistan can start getting ready.
"Sports and politics are separate things. I don't want countries mixing them. We are hoping for the best. ICC will announce the schedule; I am sure they will announce it soon so that we can finalise the preparations. All the questions that we had, we have written to them. We are awaiting a reply," he added.
Naqvi did not give a direct answer when asked if the PCB would think about pulling out of the tournament if Pakistan were forced to host it under a hybrid model, but he did say that he hoped the full competition would take place in Pakistan.
"Pakistan's respect is first and foremost. Rest, you will see what happens. Our stance is very clear; we have made it clear in the past," he said.
Pakistan was also granted the rights to host the Asia Cup the previous year. However, since India declined to travel, the PCB was forced to deploy a hybrid model, staging four matches in Pakistan and the remaining nine, including the final, in Sri Lanka. Since the 2008 Asia Cup, India has not visited Pakistan for an international cricket match. Because of the continuous political tensions between the two neighbours, the two sides have not played bilateral cricket since the 2012–13 season.
The ICC recently issued a revised ternary after the BCCI voiced concerns with Pakistan's proposal to host the Champions Trophy trophy tour in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
