In a recent development made around the disputes of the ICC Champions Trophy, PCB has offered to consider the hybrid option but with certain conditions only.
While the matter seemed to finally be resolved, BCCI’s potential rejection of the proposed solution of PCB has left the tournament with a hanging string yet again.
While matters continue to speculate, it has been notified that PCB submitted their proposal for a prolonged hybrid-fusion model in the ICC board meeting held last Saturday.
In the proposal, they demand an equitable solution. To be exact, PCB requests a written, long-term agreement to provide Pakistan with permission to play all the ICC events hosted by India at a neutral location. They precisely demand a hybrid-fusion model until 2031, stretching far beyond the Champions Trophy 2025.
In the said period, India is to host three major international tournaments. Though the events mostly have shared hosting rights, matches including India-Pakistan would bring up a similar situation as of today.
Therefore, PCB requires a written agreement that they will be offered an equal provision by ICC when the time arrives.
“We will do whatever’s best for cricket,” says Mohsin Naqvi in one of his statements. ‘If we adopt any other formula (except hosting the tournament in Pakistan), it will be done on the basis of equality. The most important thing for Pakistan is respect; everything else is secondary,’ he further added.
While there has been no official stance made by the BCC over this hybrid-fusion model proposed, reports suggest that they are least likely to accept it.
The Indian cricket board continues to say that their demand for a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy is based on security concerns in the hosting country. And since no such issues exist within their country, the PCB’s demand for a long-term provision of the hybrid model is not at all justified.
Whether the BCCI agrees or not, ICC will be reviewing the proposal in their upcoming meeting scheduled on 5th of December, 25.
This meeting is expected to be the final with ICC making their final decision about the Champions Trophy 2025. However, the decision will have to be ratified by the individual governments of both countries before it gets exercised.