The PCB is yet to hear from the ICC on the issues regarding India’s unwillingness to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy in February next year.

Despite the lack of a response, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Monday that he retained “positive expectations” for the tournament, the first ICC event Pakistan will host since 1996.

“We have sent them [ICC] the questions we had,” Naqvi said at a press interaction at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. “We are still waiting for their response. I believe that sports and politics are separate and no country should mix the two. Even now, I still have positive expectations for the Champions Trophy.”

Naqvi also said that the PCB intended to stick to its stand – of not using a hybrid model for the tournament – and will not change from it. But he said he was willing to talk to the BCCI about the situation in a bid to break the deadlock.

“At this moment, every team that has qualified for the Champions Trophy is ready to come,” he said. “No one has any problems. I would also say today if India has any concerns, talk to us about them, we can ease those concerns. I don’t think there is any reason why they should not visit.”

Asked whether the PCB would consider boycotting the event if the hosting rights were to be taken away from it, Naqvi said: “Pakistan’s pride is of primary importance.”

“My feeling is that the ICC will have to think about its credibility, it is an organization for all the bodies of the world”

Mohsin Naqvi

Naqvi was asked about the trophy run of the event, which began on Saturday in Islamabad but with a changed route after the BCCI raised objections with the ICC.

“My sense is that the ICC will have to think about its credibility, it is an organization for all the bodies of the world,” Naqvi said. “And that route has been rerouted, we have not been told of any cancellation.”

Naqvi said he hoped the ICC would announce the tournament schedule soon so that the PCB can continue its preparations for the event.