- A hybrid option where the majority of matches are played in Pakistan, but those involving India are played outside Pakistan.
- The tournament will be played entirely outside of Pakistan, with the possibility of the PCB retaining the hosting rights.
- The entire event will be played in Pakistan, but without India.
The last of these options is almost a non-starter, given the negative financial and commercial impact it will have on the tournament. The chances of the first – a hybrid model – were reduced on Thursday after a PCB official told Pakinomist that they had once again informed the ICC that it was off the table. “The PCB has asked the ICC to give a reasonable or acceptable proposal to Pakistan before the ICC board meeting tomorrow,” the official said.
Indeed, it may be one of the conditions for the PCB to accept any hybrid model for now: that the ICC then consider the same option for tournaments in India, where Pakistan – as now – is unlikely to be allowed to travel per his government.
Naqvi did not say whether Pakistan will play India in this tournament as they are drawn because they are in the same group. A hybrid model or a full move means they have to play at a neutral venue; for the game not to take place would also mean a significant commercial hit to the tournament.
“Whatever we do, we will ensure that the best outcome for Pakistan is achieved,” Naqvi said several times. “But I repeat and I’m sure you know what I mean, it is not possible for Pakistan to play in India and they will not come here.”
Naqvi said the PCB would not be motivated by the pursuit of any financial settlement and put to rest informal talk that the PCB might try to negotiate a bigger hosting fee in return for a hybrid model, pledging “that we will not just want to sell out our rights just for more money.but we will do what is best for pakistan.in any case two countries will demand a revised tournament budget.
The meeting will be virtual and will probably only come to a vote if consensus is not reached in the board. But the pressure will be on to reach a solution quickly as time is running out before the tournament and preparations for it begin. An alternate or additional venue shall be selected depending on which option the Board chooses and a schedule for the event shall be finalized and released.
In addition, the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the National Stadium in Karachi – two of Pakistan’s venues – are undergoing significant renovation and upgrade work in a race against time to be ready for the tournament. The PCB has assured the ICC board that the venues will be ready for the tournament by the end of this year.
Pakistan won the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy in November 2021 and if it goes according to plan, it will be the first ICC event they have hosted since the World Cup in 1996. But its status was thrown into disarray when the BCCI earlier this month informed ICC that its team had not been given permission by the Indian government to travel to Pakistan.
It was hardly a surprise as no India team has toured Pakistan since 2008, when the Mumbai attacks later that year sent relations between the two countries into a downward spiral. Pakistan have visited India three times since then, for a bilateral series in 2012-13, the 2016 T20 World Cup and most recently the 2023 ODI World Cup. That trip only happened after a government committee approved it, despite significant opposition from some members.
The PCB had to adopt a hybrid model for the Asia Cup just before the World Cup, but had hoped that it would result in a reciprocal gesture for the Champions Trophy.
