The impasse regarding next year’s Champions Trophy remains unresolved, as Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced on Saturday that a crucial meeting with the International Cricket Council to address the issue has been postponed.
“We had a meeting with the ICC today, but it has been postponed. We will provide updates once the details are finalised,” he told reporters in Lahore.
The tournament, set to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, has been mired in controversy, primarily due to the Board of Control for Cricket in India refusing to send its team to Pakistan. The BCCI cites political and security concerns, despite assurances from all member boards regarding safety arrangements and a preliminary match schedule.
On Thursday, BCCI representatives rejected the PCB’s proposal for a “partnership formula” aimed at resolving the ongoing deadlock between the two boards.
The PCB chairman refrained from commenting on any recent developments with the ICC or the BCCI concerning the Champions Trophy. He assured, however, that “we will not disappoint the nation.”
Naqvi mentioned that discussions were still in progress but emphasised his desire not to share any premature information. “We are aiming to achieve the best for Pakistani and international cricket,” he stated. When asked about the negotiations, he declined to provide further details to avoid jeopardising the talks.
He noted that Pakistan is playing a “positive role” in the discussions. Regarding the newly appointed ICC chief Jay Shah, Naqvi simply remarked, “If the ICC progresses, cricket will progress. If there is a dent in the ICC, it will be felt across the world.”
Last month, the BCCI informally communicated to tournament organisers that the Indian government would not permit the national team to travel to Pakistan. Earlier this week, it was reported that a hybrid model was tentatively agreed upon for the tournament.
The proposed model for the Champions Trophy would allow India to play its matches at a neutral venue while the rest of the tournament takes place in Pakistan. But the PCB introduced a reciprocal condition: Pakistan would also play its matches at neutral venues whenever India hosts an ICC tournament in the future. This arrangement has been referred to as the “partnership formula.”
