Karachi: Backing down from its boycott threat, the Pakistan Cricket Board has told the ICC that it is willing to accept the ‘Hybrid’ model for hosting next year’s Champions Trophy provided the world body allows the same arrangement for events to be held in India till 2031.
A top PCB source told PTI that the Board is also demanding a greater share in the annual revenue cycle for agreeing to the model under which India would be playing its share of matches, including the clash against Pakistan in Dubai, owing to security concerns. The Champions Trophy is to be held in February-March.
The proposal is a climbdown for the PCB, which had earlier threatened to boycott the tournament if its hosting rights were not granted in full and India’s demand for a neutral venue was accepted.
According to sources, Naqvi also said that the situation in Pakistan was stable and all teams taking part in the mega-event would be provided state-level security. He said the construction work at the stadiums which will host the tournament was also on schedule and the people of Pakistan were looking forward to watching the best teams and players play in the country.
On Friday, the International Cricket Council has told Pakistan to either accept the ‘Hybrid’ model of hosting for next year’s Champions Trophy or be prepared to be ousted from the event after the PCB’s adamant stand led to an inconclusive meeting of its executive board.
The emergency meeting in Dubai was meant to thrash out the schedule of the event in February-March next year but could not achieve a consensus after Pakistan once again rejected the ‘Hybrid’ model despite India’s firm refusal to travel there owing to security concer
It is understood that most of the ICC board members were sympathetic towards Pakistan’s situation, but Naqvi was, nonetheless, advised to accept the ‘Hybrid’ model as the only “plausible solution” for the current imbroglio.
If a ‘Hybrid’ model is adopted, India’s share of Champions Trophy matches will be held in the UAE.
