In the recent development of the India-Pakistan and ICC Champions Trophy 2025 fiasco, PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi said that PCB had not yet heard from the ICC about India’s unwillingness to visit Pakistan.
Almost a week ago, PCB wrote a letter to the ICC on India’s stance not to travel to Pakistan for an ICC event. PCB is yet to get an official response from ICC; however, PCB chief Naqvi is confident that ICC will take a strong decision and said on Monday while interacting with media that he is having positive vibes about hosting the Champions Trophy.
“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.”
Mohsin Naqvi also repeats Pakistan’s stance of not hosting the Champions Trophy under the Hybrid Model. But he said that PCB is open to talking to the BCCI one-on-one to break this deadlock situation.
“At this moment, each team that has qualified for the Champions Trophy is ready to come,” he said. “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.”
Naqvi said, “Pakistan’s pride is of primary importance,” when asked about Pakistan’s option of boycotting the Champions Trophy if hosting rights were taken away.
Naqvi questions ICC’s credibility on rerouting the Champions Trophy’s Silverware (Trophy) Tour after BCCI’s objection to the primary route that included some cities that are disputed areas between India and Pakistan.
“My feeling is that the ICC will have to think about its credibility, that they are an organization for all the world’s bodies,” Naqvi said. “And that route has been rescheduled; we haven’t been told about any cancellation.”
While winding up the press conference, Naqvi said that he is hoping for the ICC to unveil the schedule of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 “ASAP” so that Pakistan can pace up its preparations for the tournament.
