The Pakistan Cricket Board has agreed to a hybrid model for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy, India Today reported, as the meeting regarding the tournament ended with a deadlock on Saturday.

Pakistan, the reigning champions after winning the last edition in England in 2017, is set to host the event from February 19 to March 9.

But India’s reluctance to visit the neighbouring country has marred the tournament.

The longstanding political tensions between the two nations have prevented India from visiting Pakistan since 2008, with matches occurring only at multi-team events. Notably, during last year’s Asia Cup, India played all their games in Sri Lanka under a “hybrid model.”

Earlier this month, the ICC informed the PCB that the Board of Control for Cricket in India had officially communicated that India would not participate in the eight-nation tournament.

The Indian news outlet while citing sources claimed that the PCB has shown willingness to hold matches against India at a neutral venue under certain conditions. One condition stipulates that “if India does not progress in the tournament, the final will be held in Lahore.”

Furthermore, Mohsin Naqvi-led board has proposed that Pakistan would also play their matches at a neutral venue if India host any ICC event.

Naqvi has set such conditions primarily to safeguard the country’s hosting rights, the report said. The ICC meeting held on Friday indicated that the “only acceptable solution” for the event is to conduct India’s matches at a neutral venue.

The Narendra Modi-led government has refused to grant permission for the Indian cricket team to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy matches.

On Friday, the ICC held a meeting attended by 12 full members and three associate members, chaired by the ICC chairman. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi participated in the virtual meeting from Dubai.

Pakistan was awarded the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy in 2021 and the PCB has prepared “three grounds” for the tournament. “If India progress through the group stage and continues to win, all of their matches, including the semi-finals and finals, will be held in Dubai.”

Pakistan has stipulated that if the Indian team does not advance in the tournament, then the semi-finals and finals would be held in Lahore. The board has “made it clear” to the ICC that just as India has refused to send its cricket team to Pakistan, the Pakistani cricket team would not travel to India for any ICC event matches either.

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PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi calls for equal terms for hybrid model

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has stated that any formula, including the hybrid model, must be established on equal terms.

“A one-sided approach is unacceptable. This will not happen that we will visit [India] and they do not [visit Pakistan],” he told reporters in Dubai.

Naqvi added that many discussions are ongoing and he preferred to refrain from excessive commentary.

He stressed that the decision should benefit cricket as a whole, aiming for a win-win situation for both cricket boards. “We will do what is best for cricket,” he added.

He reiterated that the most important aspect for Pakistan is its “dignity”. The PCB has urged the ICC to adopt a path that is acceptable to all parties involved. “Any formula agreed upon will not only apply to the Champions Trophy but will also have long-term implications.”