The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Mohsin Naqvi, has made it known that any decision on whether the 2025 Champions Trophy will be hosted by Pakistan will be based on the “equality” principle. ICC will meet for a discussion about it on November 29. Therefore, Naqvi reiterated that the PCB’s stance remains the same.
Speaking to the journalists at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Naqvi informed that he has been in continuous touch with ICC Chairman Greg Barclay and added that the PCB team is actively engaged with ICC representatives. He said, “Our stance is very clear. We are committed to doing what is best for Pakistan cricket. I am in touch with the ICC chairman, and my team is speaking with them regularly. We’ve made it clear to the ICC that any decision should be based on equality.”
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Naqvi further clarified that PCB would not be comfortable being in a situation where Pakistan plays cricket in India, whose teams do not come here. He said, “It is unacceptable that we play cricket in India and they don’t come here. Whatever happens next will be based on equality. We have made that position clear to the ICC and will keep you updated on future steps in due course.
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is being scheduled in Pakistan by the PCB across three venues in February and March of that same year. Still, India has already informed the ICC that its government hasn’t allowed the Indian team to travel to Pakistan. The concept of a “hybrid model,” in which Pakistan would host most of the games with those involving India taking place at a neutral venue, has consistently been shot down by Naqvi.
Naqvi referred to Pakistan’s future involvement in international events hosted by India. He even suggested that the PCB might again think about Pakistan’s participation in these tournaments unless the status of the Champions Trophy is settled in an equitable manner.
Naqvi added that the PCB goals for the ICC meeting were not about money. “I promise you,’ he said, “we will never sell our rights for more money. That will never happen. We will always do what is best for Pakistan.”
With closer ICC meetings, everyone is watching to see whether Pakistan’s commitment to equality in international cricket is going to be kept.