PCB ready to accept hybrid model for Champions Trophy, but places THIS condition before ICC

PCB has told the ICC that it is willing to accept the hybrid model for the next year’s Champions Trophy provided the world body allows the same arrangement for events to be held in India till 2031.

A PCB source told PTI that the Board is also demanding a greater share in the annual revenue cycle for agreeing to the model under which India would be playing its share of matches in Dubai, owing to security concerns. The Champions Trophy is to be held in February-March next year.

This proposal comes after the PCB had earlier stated that they would boycott the tournament if they weren’t granted full hosting rights and India’s demand for a neutral venue was accepted.

“The current situation is that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said that it will only accept hosting the Champions Trophy on a hybrid model if the board agrees that in future all ICC events will be on same system with Pakistan not going to India to play matches,” a PCB source told PTI.

Till 2031, India is set to host 3 ICC events – 2026 T20 World Cup alongside Sri Lanka, 2029 Champions Trophy and 2031 ODI World Cup jointly with Bangladesh. Another flash-point could be next year’s women’s ODI World Cup in October, also to be held in India.

The drama surrounding the hosting of the Champions Trophy is expected to come to an end soon as ICC will be announcing the schedule of the tournament after considering PCB’s latest demand.

Recently, the world body eventually told PCB to either accept the hybrid model or be prepared to be excluded from the tournament after Naqvi reiterated the unyielding position of his country. The PCB source claimed that Naqvi is sticking to his stance despite pressure and has even sought financial perks for the PCB to accept the hybrid model.

“Pakistan also wants the ICC board to increase its financial cycle share of revenues from 5.75 percent and Naqvi is insistent on this but he has not sought any additional hosting fees,” the source said.

“People are saying that Naqvi has sought time to get back after talking to his government but we don’t know if he went there with the backing of the government and had already sought their approval to make his stand in the ICC board’s virtual meeting,” the source added.

Earlier, Naqvi also met Emirates Cricket Board head Mubashir Usmani in Dubai, conveying that Pakistan was ready to host the Champions Trophy and all the preparations were on schedule. The PCB source though rejected speculation that the Board would get a bonus of USD 20 million besides the hosting fees of USD six million for the Champions Trophy for conceding to India’s demands.

“Pakistan has taken only one stance and that is in future, it will also not play in India in any ICC events and the Hybrid model should be applied for all future ICC events that Pakistan and India will play their games at neutral venues,” the source concluded.

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