DUBAI: Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is visiting Dubai for an International Cricket Council (ICC) board members meeting which will decide the fate of the Champions Trophy.
Following India’s announcement of their refusal to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming tournament, the ICC and the PCB are set to deliberate on how to move forward. So, what are the possible options?
HYBRID MODEL
A hybrid model, which would force teams to travel to a separate location outside of Pakistan to play their matches against India, is one option. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been advocating for this option, with reports suggesting that the ICC is also in favour of the hybrid model and are willing to offer Pakistan financial incentives in order to move part of the tournament out of the country. The second location would likely be in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as many of Pakistan’s home games have been played in Dubai across the years.
However, the PCB have made it clear that they are not willing to accept this option.
“PCB’s stance on the Hybrid model is clear,” Naqvi was quoted as saying. “We want the champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan,” he stated, before adding that “Pakistan is making full preparations for the Champions Trophy.”
Earlier the PCB told the ICC that they will “not agree to a hosting arrangement where another country becomes involved. It is unacceptable for the Pakistani team to travel to India to play matches while the Indian team refuses to come to Pakistan.” Pakistan last travelled to India for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.
INDIA-LESS TROPHY
If an agreement regarding India’s travel cannot be reached, another team could be included in the tournament to replace them. Sri Lanka is the most likely to replace India. After finishing ninth in the World Cup group stage, Sri Lanka failed to qualify for the upcoming tournament. Next year’s Champions Trophy will be the first ever ICC event in which the Lions won’t compete. However, if the current impasse isn’t resolved, then Sri Lanka may be able to avoid being excluded.
The largest problem with this option is the legal trouble that is likely to ensue if India are not part of the Champions Trophy. Media reports claimed that partnered broadcasters will take legal action if matches between India and Pakistan are not included in the tournament. The marquee matches between the two rivals is likely to bring in some of the largest viewership during the event.
STRIPPED OF HOSTING RIGHTS
Some media reports have suggested that if the PCB do not respond favourably to the hybrid model proposal, a vote may take place to strip Pakistan of the hosting rights. However, this option would likely result in Pakistan’s refusal to play in the tournament, regardless of the new location chosen, which would once against stoke the ire of broadcasters. But, with the BCCI being the richest cricket board by far, with a net worth of $2.25 billion, more than 28 times that of the second wealthiest, Cricket Australia, they may be able to placate that anger.
