The venue of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is yet to be finalized and the final schedule is likely to be announced in a few days. While Pakistan are the designated hosts of the tournament, India’s refusal to travel to the country has badly affected the plans.
During this period, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured his country’s cricketers of “full support” and backed them to maintain their self-respect in this situation.
It should be noted that Shehbaz Sharif is also the captain of Pakistan Cricket. He recently had a meeting with PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi regarding India’s stance on the Champions Trophy.
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Pakistan PM assures “full support” to PCB in Champions Trophy saga
Mohsin Naqvi is supposed to have briefed Shehbaz Sharif about all the developments happening between the PCB and the ICC regarding the Champions Trophy. However, the PCB has not disclosed the details of the meeting publicly.
A PTI source claimed that Sharif praised Naqvi’s stand and assured full support to the board in these difficult times.
“The prime minister assured his full support to the PCB on the issue and appreciated the (PCB) chairman’s stand on India’s refusal to play Pakistan in the big event,” the source said.
Pakistan’s leading news channel Geo TV also quoted the Prime Minister’s statement as saying that the PCB’s stance also underlines the sentiments of the wider Pakistani public.
“The stance taken by the PCB reflects the sentiments of all Pakistanis regarding the Champions League after India’s refusal to play in Pakistan,” Geo TV quoted Shehbaz Sharif as telling Naqvi.
According to the latest developments, Champions Trophy 2025 is moving towards a hybrid model. The International Cricket Council is believed to have voted for the tournament to be hosted in a hybrid model under which India is likely to play its share of matches in Dubai.
Mohsin Naqvi briefs Shehbaz Sharif about developments
Meanwhile, Mohsin Naqvi said that any decision to host the tournament will be taken after consultation with the country’s government. A government source close to the development also confirmed that Mohsin Naqvi met Shehbaz Sharif to apprise him of all developments.
“Basically, (Mohsin) Naqvi wanted to inform the prime minister and get his approval if the PCB decides to break the deadlock with any tough decision on the tournament,” the source was quoted as saying.
PCB’s stance on future ICC events in India
According to reports, the PCB, which was earlier adamant about hosting the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, is almost convinced that the tournament will now be held in a hybrid model.
However, the PCB wants the same process to be followed for ICC events to be held in India till 2031. According to the PCB, Pakistan will not travel to India for any ICC events and wants its matches to be played in a hybrid model.
