NEW DELHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi firmly stated that the Champions Trophy will take place in Pakistan as planned. He emphasised that if India has any reservations, it should engage in dialogue with the PCB to address them.
“Pakistan’s pride and respect is our priority. Champions Trophy will take place in our country only, we will not accept Hybrid Model. If India has any issues, they can come to us and we will sort them out”, Naqvi said while addressing the media outside Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
“We stand firm on our stance that we will not go for a hybrid model. We’re waiting for the ICC to announce the schedule as soon as possible,” he added.
Naqvi urges the ICC to uphold its credibility as a governing body representing all cricket bodies worldwide.
“The ICC needs to consider its credibility as it represents all cricket bodies globally. The schedule has been rescheduled, but we haven’t received any cancellation notice. Every other team in the world, that has qualified for the Champions Trophy, is ready to come and has no issue,” he said.
Naqvi also expressed his belief in keeping sports and politics separate, emphasizing that the two should not influence or interfere with each other.
“I still believe that sports and politics should not interfere with each other, and I maintain a positive outlook,” he said.
“I think no one can give us a tough time. Every ICC member has its right, things cannot function like this. I am just hoping for a positive result when it comes to Champions Trophy,” Naqvi further said.
The ICC recently announced the trophy tour for the Champions Trophy, which began in Islamabad on November 16. The trophy will arrive in India on January 15 and will remain there until January 26.
