In a latest development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has conveyed to the International Cricket Council (ICC) through a letter that Pakistan will not accept the possibility of playing in a hybrid model for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 after India rejected coming to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. The PCB has also asked ICC to seek India’s clarification and concrete reasons regarding the reluctance in coming to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025.
🚨 ICC has asked PCB to adopt a hybrid model with India's matches to be played in Dubai (UAE).
— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) November 12, 2024
- If PCB doesn't agree to a hybrid model, then the tournament might be shifted to South Africa 🇿🇦 entirely.
👉🏻 SA / IND Fans be like - "It's time for Africa"😅#ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/rDbMBnnoIu
However, it is pertinent to mention here that PCB has stated that it has all the security arrangements and is ready to host the Champions Trophy 2025. According to a source, “In such a case, one of the options the government is mul¬ling is that of asking the PCB to ensure Pakistan don’t participate in the Champions Trophy and that the federal government is looking at the issue seriously.”
It was a day dream that India wil come to Pakistan to play #ChampionsTrophy2025. Pakistan is safe & ready to host the event. Pakistan hosting all cricket nations at home but somehow not *secure* for India 😇😇😇. Waiting for strong & surprised response from government & PCB.
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) November 11, 2024
On the other hand, the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has not shown any flexibility in terms of engaging with Pakistan and is holding the government’s strict policy of not coming to Pakistan for cricket. It should be noted that the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy 2025 is going to be held from Feb 19 to March 9 next year at Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.
The PCB has written to the ICC and asked them to provide a written confirmation from the BCCI that they are unable to play the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, as well as giving a reason for ithttps://t.co/xpW0u7STNc
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 12, 2024
On that note, the bilateral tensions between the two countries persist as none of them is going to show any flexibility for now. As per the recent details, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will completely opt out of the Champions Trophy 2025 if the ICC opted a hybrid model for the tournament.
