New Delhi: A 1 am press conference by the Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday has convinced Pakistani cricket analysts and fans that the Champions Trophy will not take place in Pakistan, the appointed host for the tournament.
Analysts and commentators suspect that there are ongoing backdoor negotiations between ICC and PCB, which will eventually lead to the Pakistani board agreeing to a hybrid model, indicating a U-turn after refusing to do so earlier.
For Pakistanis, the situation feels like a betrayal. The hosting rights for the Champions Trophy was awarded to Pakistan in 2021.
Many Pakistanis have taken to social media to express their frustration, with a growing sentiment that the PCB may be “sold out” in the negotiations.
During a briefing at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, at 1 am in the early morning, Naqvi affirmed that the PCB would do what is best for Pakistan. “Whatever we do, we will make sure the best outcome for Pakistan is achieved,” Naqvi said, reiterating that any final decision would first be approved by the Pakistani government.
“This repeated insistence on doing what is best for Pakistan is an indicator that they will relent to a hybrid model,” read a comment under the YouTube video of the press conference.
Naqvi’s comments came after India’s refusal to send its team to Pakistan in February next year, citing government restrictions. While India has not toured Pakistan since 2008, Pakistan has continued to send teams to India for ICC events, most recently for the 2023 ODI World Cup.
“This cannot keep happening that we go to play in India but they don’t come here to play. It has to be on equal levels and we remain firm on this stance,” Naqvi added.
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Diplomatic failures
As the 29 November ICC meeting approaches, where the final vote on the venue is expected to take place, Pakistanis remain divided. Social media users are convinced PCB will relent.
One X user raised this concern, sarcastically remarking, “ICC khabardaar rahay, Mohsin Naqvi ansu gas phaink ke sidhay fire bhi khol deta hai” (Beware ICC, Mohsin Naqvi has a habit of throwing tear gas and then opening fire at those who disagree with him) — mocking Naqvi—who is also the Interior Minister of Pakistan—and his actions during the recent PTI protests.
Many fans also pointed out that Pakistan’s diplomatic failures in the cricketing world have led to its isolation. “It’s frustrating to see Mohsin Naqvi’s approach leading to isolation for PCB. The lack of diplomacy is evident, and it shows in our relationships with other cricket boards. We need proactive leadership to navigate these challenges!” another X user observed.
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The hybrid model
The hybrid model, which was proposed as a solution to India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup earlier this year, involves Pakistan hosting some of the matches while others would be played in neutral venues or in India. Although the ICC has provided financial incentives to the PCB to consider the hybrid model, Naqvi’s recent remarks seem to suggest that the PCB is still holding out hope for a fully Pakistani-hosted event. But many believe this is unlikely.
Mirza Iqbal Baig, a prominent Pakistani sports journalist and analyst, speculated in an interview for Cricket Pakistan, that behind-the-scenes negotiations were already underway. He said that despite Pakistan’s best efforts, the final decision could swing in favour of India. “In all practicality, the Champions Trophy happening in Pakistan seems unlikely,” he said.
Basit Ali, a former cricketer and commentator, expressed similar concerns on his YouTube channel.
He pointed out that the delay in finalising the event’s venue is a “deliberate” tactic by the ICC, designed to give India time to secure its preferred outcome.
“When the voting happens, Pakistan will lose because BCCI is powerful, and even Indian cricket is better than Pakistani cricket,” he said. Ali further suggested that the PCB should delay the voting until Jay Shah assumes office as ICC chairman, in the hopes that the new leadership could offer a more balanced approach.
However, Ali also advised the PCB to be pragmatic. “When the talks of a hybrid model take place, Pakistan should agree to playing in India and be the bigger person. If the Champions Trophy takes place in any other country apart from India, then PCB should ideally say no,” he added.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)
PCB is not sold out. Pakistanis are so thick skinned that they refuse to see all the ethnic strife and blackouts in Islamabad and widespread political discontent ? Typical head in the sand symptom ?