India recently won the T20 World Cup 2024 breaking their 11-year-old trophy drought under Rohit Sharma's captaincy. The next ICC tournament will be the Champions Trophy 2025 which is slated to be held in February in Pakistan. The future of the tournament is still not decided as the champions of T20 World Cup 2024 India is adamant enough to not visit Pakistan due to the political tensions between the two countries. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman has sent clear instructions regarding India not visiting Pakistan.
Moshin Naqvi's strict instruction to PCB officials
According to a report by PTI, PCB supremo Mohsin Naqvi has instructed the officials to stay silent on the issue publically. He himself has adopted the policy to stay silent and is looking towards ICC to resolve the matters. Naqvi has also directed PCB officials to do preparations for Champions Trophy 2025 assuming India will send their team to participate in the tournament.
"That is why in recent days no comment or statement is coming from either Naqvi or any other board official on what will happen if India doesn’t send its team to Pakistan,” a PCB source told PTI.
According to PCB Official, the board has sent the draft schedule and other important documents including the security plans for each team to the ICC and it is now up to the apex international cricketing body to convince India to send their team.
"The PCB has sent the draft schedule and submitted all other documents including security plans for each team to the ICC now it is for the owners of the CT to convince India to send its team,” said the official.
PCB's current concern
The report also states that PCB’s main concern currently is to better the facilities for the three stadiums scheduled to host the Champions Trophy 2023 – Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. ICC will soon send a team to inspect the venues ensuring the three stadiums are suitable for matches.
“It is clear Naqvi doesn’t want to show the PCB’s cards on what will be the reaction of the board if India again refuses to send its team but behind closed doors, after meetings with the government officials a strategy has been finalized,” he added.
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