PCB Urges ICC to Finalize Champions Trophy Hosting Agreement with India Concerns…

Karachi, November 27, 2023: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to finalize the hosting rights agreement for the Champions Trophy 2025, emphasizing that compensation should be provided if India refuses to travel to Pakistan, citing political and security reasons.

According to a reliable source within the PCB, despite Pakistan being designated as the host for the tournament by the ICC, the crucial hosting agreement is yet to be signed by the global body. PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf and Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer reportedly engaged with the ICC executive board in Ahmedabad to discuss the hosting arrangements for the Champions Trophy scheduled for February-March 2025.

The PCB officials expressed concerns about the possibility of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refusing to send its team to Pakistan, raising security apprehensions. In response, the PCB insisted that the ICC should refrain from making unilateral decisions and proposed the appointment of an independent security agency.

The PCB recommended that this agency would collaborate with Pakistani government and security officials to assess the security situation for all participating teams, including India. The officials highlighted that several top teams had successfully toured Pakistan in the past two years without any security issues.

“In case of India not sending its team and its matches being moved to another country, then the ICC must compensate Pakistan for this,” the source added, underlining the PCB’s stance on protecting its hosting rights.

Given the complex political and security dynamics between Pakistan and India, the PCB officials expressed reservations about India potentially backing out of playing in Pakistan. They emphasized that, similar to the Asia Cup held earlier this year, any decision on India’s participation in Pakistan in 2025 would likely be influenced by their government, leaving the BCCI to follow the official decision.

The PCB’s firm stance reflects its determination to ensure that the Champions Trophy 2025 proceeds smoothly, despite the geopolitical challenges that may arise. The ongoing discussions with the ICC underscore the importance of comprehensive planning and clear protocols to address any potential disruptions to the tournament.