THE PAKISTAN Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has stated that Pakistan will not travel to India for tournaments if India continues to avoid sending its team to Pakistan.
He called the situation “unequal” and stressed that it was not sustainable for Pakistan to play in India while the Indian team does not reciprocate.
Speaking to reporters at the Gaddafi Stadium during a visit to inspect construction work, Naqvi said, “It is just not possible that while Pakistan keeps on going and playing in India all events the Indian authorities are not willing to send their team to play in Pakistan. We can’t have such an unequal situation.”
The future of the Champions Trophy is uncertain after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) of its inability to send the Indian team to Pakistan. The ICC has scheduled a virtual meeting with its executive board on Friday to make a final decision on the matter.
Naqvi was cautious about the ‘hybrid’ model proposed for the Champions Trophy. While he had previously opposed the format, he refrained from making a firm statement. “All I can assure is whatever happens in the meeting we will come out with good news and decisions which will be accepted by our people,” he said.
He expressed hope that Jay Shah, who is set to become ICC Chairman on 5 December, would prioritise the interests of global cricket and all member boards.
“Jay Shah takes charge in December, and I’m sure once he moves from the BCCI to the ICC, he will think about the ICC’s benefit, and that’s what he should do. Whenever anyone assumes such a role, he should only consider the interests of that organisation,” Naqvi added.
Reports suggested that Pakistan had been offered financial incentives to accept the hybrid model, but Naqvi did not comment on the matter.
He emphasised that all decisions made at the ICC meeting would be presented to the Pakistan government, which would take the final call.
Sangeeta Datta
Scenes from the rehearsal
Scenes from the rehearsal
