The PCB is yet to hear from the ICC on issues surrounding India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy next February.
Despite the lack of response, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Monday that he retained “positive expectations” about the tournament, the first ICC event Pakistan will host since 1996.
“We sent them [ICC] “We are answering the questions we had,” Naqvi told a news conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. “We are still waiting for their response. I believe that sport and politics are distinct and no country should mix the two. Even now, I still have positive expectations regarding the Champions Trophy.”
Naqvi also said that the PCB intends to stick to its position – of not using a hybrid model for the tournament – and will not deviate from it. But he said he was ready to discuss the situation with the BCCI in order to break the impasse.
“At the moment, all the teams qualified for the Champions Trophy are ready to come,” he said. “No one has any problems. I will also say today that if India has any concerns, talk to us about them, we can allay those concerns. I don’t think there is any reason for them to Don’t visit us.”
Asked if the CPC would consider the possibility of boycotting the event if the organizing rights were taken away, Naqvi replied: “Pakistan’s pride is of prime importance.”
“My feeling is that the ICC will have to think about its credibility, because it is an organization for all the organizations in the world”
Mohsin Naqvi
Naqvi was asked about the event’s trophy tour, which began on Saturday in Islamabad but with a changed itinerary after the BCCI raised objections to the ICC.
“My feeling is that the ICC will have to think about its credibility, because it is an organization for all the bodies of the world,” Naqvi said. “And this route has been rescheduled, no cancellations have been reported to us.”
Naqvi said he hoped the ICC would announce the tournament schedule soon so that the PCB could continue its preparations for the event.
