Champions Trophy 2025 – PCB vows to do ‘what’s best for Pakistan cricket’

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has insisted that the board remains “clear” in its view that any decision on the hosting of the Champions Trophy must be made “on the basis of equality”. As the ICC almost met and potentially voted on the issue on November 29, Naqvi said he had been in touch with ICC chairman Greg Barclay and that “his team” at the PCB was in touch with the ICC.

“Our position is very clear,” Naqvi said during a press conference held at Gaddafi Stadium at 1 a.m. Thursday. “I promise we will do what is best for Pakistan cricket. I am in constant contact with the ICC chairman and my team is constantly talking to them. We remain clear in our position that it is not acceptable that we play cricket in India and they don’t play cricket here, whatever will happen will happen on the basis of equality.We have told ICC very clearly and what happens next we will tell you.

The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be hosted at three venues in Pakistan during February and March next year. But India, who have not toured Pakistan since 2008, told the ICC that their government had not given them permission to travel to Pakistan for the event earlier this month.

In the past, Naqvi has categorically stated that a “hybrid model” where Pakistan hosts most of the games but any game India plays elsewhere was unacceptable. “Our position is clear: they must give us any written objections they may have,” he said earlier this month. “Until now, there has been no discussion about the hybrid model, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Naqvi confirmed that India had not given any written objections to Pakistan and he did not say whether the ICC in its communications had answered questions raised by the PCB about India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the event.

But he did not directly answer repeated questions about whether a hybrid model remained equally unacceptable to the PCB. “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’s comments are a reference to Pakistan considering the terms of its involvement in future events hosted by India. India is hosting the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, as well as co-hosting the 2026 T20I World Cup along with Sri Lanka.

Naqvi said any decision taken at the ICC meeting would then be taken to the Pakistan government by the PCB for final approval. He also urged Jay Shah, who is leaving his post as BCCI secretary to take over as ICC chairman on Sunday, to show concern for the ICC’s advantage in his handling of the organisation.

“[Jay Shah] takes charge in December and I am sure when he moves from BCCI to ICC he will think about the benefits of ICC and that is what he has to do. When someone takes on such a role, he should only consider the interests of that organization.”

Naqvi also said that the PCB’s objectives for the meeting were not financial. “I promise you we will not just sell our rights for more money. That will never happen. But we will do what is best for Pakistan.”

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