PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi insisted the board remains “clear” that any decision regarding the staging of the Champions Trophy should be taken “on the basis of equality”. As the ICC met virtually and potentially voted on the issue on November 29, Naqvi said he had been in contact with ICC Chairman Greg Barclay and that “his team” at the ICC was in contact with the ICC .
“Our position is very clear,” Naqvi said at a press conference held at 1 a.m. Thursday morning at Gaddafi Stadium. “I promise that we will do what is best for Pakistan cricket. I am constantly in touch with the ICC president and my team speaks to them constantly. We are always clear in our position that it It is not acceptable that we play cricket in India, and they do not play cricket here. Whatever happens, it will be done on the basis of equality. the ICC, and we will let you know.
Naqvi confirmed that India had not submitted any written objection to Pakistan and he did not specify whether in its communications the ICC had responded to questions posed by the PCB on India’s refusal to travel to the Pakistan for the event.
But he did not directly answer repeated questions about whether a hybrid model remained equally unacceptable to the PCB. “Whatever we do, we will ensure that Pakistan gets the best possible result,” Naqvi said repeatedly. “But I repeat, and I’m sure you understand what I mean, it is not possible for Pakistan to play in India and not come here.”
Naqvi’s comments refer to Pakistan considering the terms of its involvement in future events hosted by India. India is the host of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, as well as co-host of the 2026 T20I World Cup alongside Sri Lanka.
Naqvi said any decision taken at the ICC meeting would then be forwarded to the Pakistan government by the PCB for final approval. He also urged Jay Shah, who is stepping down as BCCI secretary to take over as ICC president on Sunday, to be mindful of the benefit of the ICC in his management of the organization.
“[Jay Shah] takes office in December, and I am sure that once he moves from the BCCI to the ICC, he will think about the benefits of the ICC, and that is what he should do. Whenever someone takes on such a role, they should only consider the interests of that organization. »
Naqvi also said that the PCB’s goals before the meeting were not financial. “I promise you that we will not sell our rights just for more money. That will never happen. But we will do whatever is best for Pakistan.”
