Navi’s remarks on Friday had a more optimistic tone than the official line earlier taken by the PCB on the issue of India’s reluctance to visit Pakistan. “In the last two months, Indian media has been reporting that India is not traveling,” Naqvi said. “I have discussed this with them and my team, and our position is clear: they must send us their objections in writing. So far, no discussion about the hybrid model has taken place and we are not ready to accept one The Indian media are talking about it, but no formal communication has reached the PCB.
Naqvi also said he believed Pakistan had in the past shown “grand gestures” towards India, referring to the team traveling to India to participate in the ODI World Cup in 2023, despite the India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. This tournament ultimately adopted a hybrid model, with the final stages taking place in Sri Lanka.
“If we receive a letter from India, I will have to approach my government and abide by its decisions. Pakistan has made great gestures towards India in the past, and we would like to make it clear that India should not expect such friendly gestures from us every time [if they refuse to come]. The government will decide whether Pakistan will travel to a future event in India if they do not come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. It is not the CCP that will decide. »
“Cricket should be free from politics,” said Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister. “No sport should be involved in politics. If you don’t get along with another country, that’s another matter, but politics should not be involved in sport.”
“I don’t think anyone should make it a political issue. We will give each team as many facilities as possible. We would like to see foreign fans come to the tournament as well.”
Mohsin Naqvi
The PCB said three venues – Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi – would be used for the tournament, but offered to host all of India’s matches in Lahore, which borders the Indian city of Amritsar, for logistical reasons and security. This would make travel relatively simpler for all Indian fans traveling for the tournament, with the PCB saying it is ready to arrange up to 17,000 visas for Indians during the tournament.
Naqvi said “almost every country” wanted to see the tournament in Pakistan and the PCB would provide all possible facilities. “Almost every country wants the CT to be played here,” he said. “I keep in touch with several boards and they are all looking forward to playing here. I think no one should make it a political issue. We will give each team as many facilities as possible. We would like to see fans from abroad also come to the tournament.”
PK Press Club understands that the BCCI has not discussed the matter internally. The Indian board’s stance has not changed and will await approval from the Indian government on whether or not they will travel to Pakistan for the tournament. It could not be confirmed whether the BCCI wrote officially to the Indian government for approval or even informally verified its guidelines.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, although the ICC is yet to officially announce the schedule.
