India safe for visiting teams, Pakistan’s ‘hybrid’ demand unacceptable, says BCCI- The Week

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had said they will agree to the proposed “hybrid” model for hosting the Champions Trophy if the ICC is okay with its team not travelling to India to play matches in the future. The ICC should accept similar ‘hybrid’ models in favour of Pakistan during events to be held in India till 2031, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had demanded. Meanwhile, fresh reports claimed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will not accept the said demand as India is a regular host to international matches and is proven to be a safe place for the visiting teams. 

The BCCI is unwilling to take the tit-for-tat response from PCB, the development indicates. India are due to host three ICC men’s events — the 2026 T20 World Cup jointly with Sri Lanka, the 2029 Champions Trophy and the 2031 ODI World Cup jointly with Bangladesh and one women’s event — the ODI World Cup in October 2025.

According to the BCCI, there is no reason for Pakistan to refrain from contesting in matches held in India as there is no security threat in the country.

A deadlock had occurred after India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy cricket. This meant if India progressed to the semifinal and the final of the tournament, Pakistan would lose the hosting rights to the hybrid venue, most likely to be Dubai.

Pakistan remained adamant that the entire tournament should be held in the country and India shouldn’t be allowed to use a neutral venue for its games. Although they raised boycott threats initially, they mellowed down in late November, demanding the right to have “hybrid” privilege for tournaments hosted by India and a greater share in the annual revenue cycle.

The dilemma is expected to be resolved in the next couple of days after the ICC executive board considers Pakistan’s demands, reported news agency PTI. The Champions Trophy is to be held in February-March.

Meanwhile, former BCCI chief Jay Shah took charge as the ICC chairman on December 1.

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