Pakistan might withdraw from Champions Trophy, not to play against India in ICC events: Report

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, November 12, 2024: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) seems to be in a fix after India refused to travel to the neighbouring country for the Champions Trophy next year. The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday wrote to the host board, confirming India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the eight-nation tournament. The email was forwarded to the government of Pakistan, which is now expected to make a strict move.

According to Dawn.com, Pakistan might ‘withdraw’ from the global event. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has already stated that Pakistan will not come up with a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy. And now, the news report claims that the government of Pakistan is considering the withdrawal of the country’s cricket team from the tournament.

“In such a case, one of the options the government is mulling is that of asking the PCB to ensure Pakistan don’t participate in the Champions Trophy," Dawn quoted a source as saying.

The ICC has assured the PCB that, under this arrangement, they would receive full hosting fees and a majority of the matches.

“The ICC has told the PCB that if it decides to go ahead with the hosting of the mega event on a Hybrid Model it would get its full hosting fees and majority of the matches," PTI quoted a source as saying.

However, if the PCB decides to pull out of hosting the tournament due to India’s refusal, the ICC could consider moving the entire event to South Africa, the source added.

Meanwhile, Pakistani media speculated on potential responses, including the Pakistan government advising the PCB to stop playing India in ICC and ACC events altogether or the PCB pursuing legal action against the ICC and BCCI at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Geneva.

India have not travelled to Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The two teams compete against each other only in ICC tournaments.