The International Cricket Council (ICC) is worried about India’s audacity over the Champions Trophy and the tournament schedule seems to be moving to next week.
According to details, there are less than 90 days left for the Champions Trophy scheduled for February-March in Pakistan, but the tournament schedule has not been finalized yet.
The ICC is worried about India’s audacity regarding sending a team to Pakistan, the PCB has taken a tough stance this time and has refused to back out of hosting or adopt a hybrid model under any circumstances.
In principle, the schedule should have been revealed by now, but this has not happened, fans and teams are all in the dark, the final dates are not known nor are the host venues being confirmed, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) itself has no knowledge in this regard.
The ICC is not making any contact on this issue, sources in the council say that we are still engaged in negotiations with the host and participating countries regarding the Champions Trophy schedule.
It should be noted that the initial schedule jointly prepared by the ICC and the PCB was shared with other participating boards in May this year. According to the minutes of the ICC board meeting held in Dubai in October, no objection was raised by any participating country to the schedule, according to which 15 matches are to be played in 3 venues in Pakistan – Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.
The schedule was approved by the main broadcasting partner, while a copy was sent to all participating countries, at that time no member had raised any objection to it. Uncertainty regarding the event arose when India verbally told the ICC that its government had forbidden sending a team to Pakistan, in response to which the PCB took a strong stance under the government policy and made it clear that if India did not send its team to Pakistan, then the PCB would refuse to play matches with India at any level.
Sources say that an ICC delegation is likely to come to Pakistan by the end of this week or early next week. The Governing Council wants to rescue itself from this serious situation. It will be an attempt to convince the PCB to go for a hybrid model. So far, the ICC has not responded to the letter written by Pakistan.
According to a report, talks were also to be held between the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the Champions Trophy yesterday. The sole agenda of the talks was India’s participation in the event. This could have a profound impact on the planning of the tournament.
On the other hand, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif wrote a column for an Indian media outlet. He said that under the guidelines, it is mandatory for all teams to participate in any ICC tournament held in any country. The Pakistani side has traveled to India for the 2016 T20 World Cup and then last year for the ODI World Cup. Therefore, I believe that the PCB is justified in taking a strong stance on not sending a team to India this time. This is not a bilateral series but an ICC event. India should participate in it.
Pakistan’s position is better because it has sent its team to India twice during this period. India’s position is weak, but this whole matter is political in nature because elections are being held in some Indian states.
Rashid Latrif said that Pakistan should take a strong stance that if India does not send its team, it will also not send its team to India, which is to host 3-4 ICC events in the next 7 years.
