The controversy around the upcoming ICC Champion’s Trophy refuses to die down. Both the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have remained firm on their stances and the fate of the Champions Trophy has snowballed into crisis. The Mohsin Naqvi-led Pakistan Cricket Board has refused to host the tournament in a ‘Hybrid Model’, whereas the Board of Control for Cricket in India has written to the ICC that Rohit Sharma and Co. will not travel to Pakistan.

Mohsin Naqvi made a huge statement about the ongoing IND vs PAK controversy

The PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has made it clear that it is not possible for Pakistan to travel to India for tournaments in future while India continue to refuse to send the team to the neighbouring nation, a situation he termed “unequal.” The fate of the Champions Trophy hangs in balance after BCCI conveyed to ICC its inability to send the team to Pakistan, and the global body has convened a virtual meeting of its executive board members on Friday to take a final decision.

Naqvi, however, played it safe regarding the ‘Hybrid’ model for the Champions Trophy, as earlier he had asserted that PCB would not accept the proposed format.

Naqvi hoped that Jay Shah, who will take over as the ICC Chairman December 5, would take decisions based in the interest of world cricket and all member boards.

There were reports of Pakistan being offered additional financial incentives to accept the Hybrid Model, but Naqvi remained non-committal.

Naqvi said all such decisions and the outcome of the ICC meeting will be conveyed to the Pakistan government, which will take a final call. 

(PTI)