Dubai, December 1 (IANS). Despite the online ICC meeting held on Friday, a final decision could not be taken on organizing the Champions Trophy. Meanwhile, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was present in Dubai discussing Pakistan Under-19 team’s win over India. All eyes were on whether the PCB, BCCI and ICC would be able to reach an agreement on next year’s tournament or not.
As he said on Thursday morning, Naqvi did not categorically rule out a hybrid model for hosting the tournament. He repeated his earlier statement. Speaking to reporters in Dubai, he said, “We will do what is best for cricket. If we adopt any other formula (except hosting the tournament in Pakistan), it will be on the basis of equality. Most important for Pakistan. That’s respect, everything else comes after that.”
What such a system would look like is still uncertain. Naqvi’s frequent comments on “equality” have fueled speculation that the PCB would want to extract some concessions in return for accepting the hybrid model. One possibility could be that India would have to agree to play its matches outside Pakistan, while another agreement could be that during any future tournament held in India, Pakistan would play its matches outside India. Additionally, the possibility of financial compensation for the PCB is also under discussion. However, Naqvi had made it clear earlier in the week that decisions would not be taken on the basis of economic benefits.
ESPN Cricinfo has learned that a decision on the matter is likely to be taken in the next few days, however Naqvi’s comments make it clear that there are still a number of important issues that remain to be resolved. It is believed that before submitting any proposal to the ICC for final approval, the consent of the governments of both India and Pakistan will have to be taken. The Indian government had refused permission to send its team to Pakistan, and the PCB has repeatedly stated that any action taken by them would require the approval of their government.
–IANS
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