Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Friday categorically denied that he had received any formal communication from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that their national team will not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
On Thursday, PCB sources claimed that India had opted for a 'hybrid model' where all their matches would be held in Dubai. The hybrid model was also adopted during the 2023 Asia Cup where Pakistan played their matches at home. But India played their matches in Sri Lanka.
BCCI sources claimed that India has already officially informed the PCB that they will not travel to Pakistan. But in the evening, Naqvi denied this in a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Naqvi told reporters that till date no one has discussed the 'hybrid model' with us nor are we willing to talk about it. We have been showing a good attitude for the last few years and no one should expect us to do so all the time.
Naqvi said that whenever any proposal comes in writing, I will inform the government and whatever decision they take, we will have to follow it. The status quo remains. Whether to go to Pakistan or not is not the decision of BCCI, but it is the decision of the Indian government.
Nothing has changed in this matter. We are not going to Pakistan in the current situation. PCB had proposed to BCCI that India can make its base in Delhi or Chandigarh and fly to Lahore on the day of the match. It can return the very next day after the match is over but it was rejected.
The last time India visited Pakistan was in 2008 for the Asia Cup. But since the Mumbai terror attack on November 26 of the same year, the national team has not visited the neighboring country. The ICC has always been of the view that they do not interfere in the government policy of any particular country. Outgoing BCCI secretary Jay Shah will be the head of the ICC from December 1.
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