Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Friday that it has not been communicated to PCB whether the Indian cricket team has declined to play the Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan next year as reported by the Indian media.
Pakistan, who won the last edition of the Champions Trophy staged in England in 2017, will host the Feb 19-March 9 tournament.
Due to their soured political relations, India have not visited Pakistan since 2008 and the rivals play each other only at multi-team events.
While speaking to the media in Lahore on Friday, Naqvi acknowledged that for the past two months, there have been reports in the Indian media related to the team’s travel plans.
“We have a clear stance that they must give it to us in writing if they [the Indian cricket board] have any issues. Till today, we have not spoken about any hybrid model, but we’re ready to speak on this,” Naqvi said.
“Now, if Indian media is reporting this, then there must be some letter the ICC will give us, or the Indian Board might have written this somewhere. Till now, no such letter has reached me or the PCB,” he said.
“We want cricket to be devoid of politics. No sport in the world should have these kinds of politics.
“We will continue the preparations for the Champions Trophy that you’re currently seeing, and God willing, it will be a successful event,” he went on to say.
When asked by a reporter if Pakistan will adopt a hybrid model for the tournament, Naqvi said that he would have to take the matter to the government and enforce whatever decision they make.
“For the past few years, Pakistan has continued to show good gestures, and we hope that we are not expected to show good gestures each time,” Naqvi said.
More to follow
