The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is still awaiting a response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy next February. Despite having written to the ICC a week ago for clarity and details on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s decision, the PCB has yet to receive any formal communication.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi remains optimistic about hosting the tournament, marking Pakistan's first ICC event since 1996. “We have sent them [ICC] the questions we had,” Naqvi said during a press interaction at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. “We are still waiting for their response. I believe that sports and politics are separate and no country should mix the two. Even now, I still have positive expectations about the Champions Trophy.”
Naqvi emphasized that the PCB is committed to hosting the tournament in Pakistan without resorting to a hybrid model, although he expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with the BCCI to resolve the issue. "At this moment, every team that has qualified for the Champions Trophy is ready to come," he stated. "Nobody has any issues. I will say today also, if India has any concerns, speak to us about them, we can ease those concerns. I don't think there is any reason for them not to visit."
When questioned about the possibility of boycotting the event if hosting rights are revoked, Naqvi highlighted Pakistan's pride and the importance of the ICC's credibility. "My feeling is that the ICC will have to think about its credibility, that are they an organisation for all the world's bodies," he asserted.
The Champions Trophy trophy tour, which began in Islamabad, had to be rerouted following BCCI's objections. Initially, the tour included Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan Administered Kashmir, but this destination was removed due to the BCCI's complaint. The revised route has not been cancelled and will return to Pakistan in January after visiting the other seven participant countries.
Naqvi urged the ICC to announce the tournament schedule soon to allow the PCB to continue its preparations effectively. The delay in communication and the lack of a clear stance from the ICC raise questions about its ability to manage global cricketing events impartially.
In a professional environment, accountability must be prioritized over mere good faith. The ICC's failure to impose clear conditions when allocating the Champions Trophy to Pakistan in 2021 is a glaring oversight. Why wasn't a definitive timeline established, including a strict deadline for the BCCI to confirm whether India would travel to Pakistan? A hard deadline, set at least a year in advance, would have provided the necessary clarity and prevented this last-minute confusion. Instead, the BCCI's refusal to travel was communicated to the ICC only on November 6, just over three months before the tournament’s scheduled start on February 19. This lack of foresight by the ICC has not only created unnecessary uncertainty but also shown a lack of respect for Pakistan's efforts as the host. Pakistan deserves better planning and a more professional approach from the global cricketing body.
It is high time for the ICC to uphold its credibility and ensure that decisions are made transparently and in the best interests of all member nations. The current situation not only undermines Pakistan's efforts but also sets a concerning precedent for future ICC events.
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