After the ICC approved the hybrid model for India-Pakistan matches at the Champions Trophy 2025, former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria feels that it is a win-win situation for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) while Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been handed a "lollipop" of hosting the Women's T20 World Cup in 2028.
The ICC executive board announced last week that India and Pakistan matches hosted by either country at ICC Events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue. Alongside, the PCB has been awarded hosting rights of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in 2028, where neutral venue arrangements will also apply.
Later, it was confirmed that Dubai will be the venue for India-Pak matches of the Champions Trophy, which Pakistan will host from February 19 to March 9. The India-Pakistan clash is scheduled to take place on February 23 at Dubai International Stadium. If Men in Blue qualifies for the final, the summit clash will also be moved to Dubai.
"The BCCI has found itself in a win-win situation. Here in Pakistan, I'm also hearing people say that 'we've fought and won this', but they're illiterate. They've been handed the 'lollipop' of the Women's World Cup. From the beginning, I felt that the hybrid model would be the only solution because, in this situation, there's no other option," Kaneria told IANS.
Due to strained political relations, India and Pakistan only compete against each other in international tournaments such as the World Cups and the Asia Cup. The last time the two countries faced each other in international cricket was during this year's Men's T20 World Cup in June.
"Pakistan have said they won't go to India to play, but only time will tell. The country is at present in an unstable situation. If something happens with the other teams, then what will happen? The whole tournament might shift to Dubai. Everyone has family concerns, and we should respect that. Given the present situation, let's hope that the tournament goes smoothly under the hybrid model," said Kaneria.
"The interesting part is that if both India and Pakistan reach the final, then it has to be played in Dubai, right? That will raise another issue: if you can play the final in Dubai, then what's the problem with playing the games in India?
"Looking at the circumstances, they need to ensure that the situation in Pakistan remains stable. Teams are coming here and playing matches. It shouldn't happen that other teams raise questions and the entire tournament will take place in Dubai," he added.
Quoting the incident of 2009 when the bus carrying Sri Lankan cricketers was fired upon by the gunmen near Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Kaneria demanded that all possible efforts must be taken to make the Champions Trophy event successful.
"Everyone has security concerns. Whenever a team comes to Pakistan for an international match, they are given president-level security. That is because there was an incident sometime back that badly hurt Pakistan cricket and its players. International cricket had stopped in Pakistan. You have to think according to the demands of the situation, not act out of ego. If you do good, people will speak well of you," said the former spinner.
The 44-year-old former cricketer of Pakistan expressed his views that the match between India and Pakistan will "attract ten times more spectators" compared to matches between other teams had India played in Pakistan during the Champions Trophy.
"All the stadium, even the roads, would be packed with people. Because people are fans of Rohit (Sharma), Virat (Kohli), and (Jasprit) Bumrah. The younger generation is emulating these players," Kaneria said.
He further said that successful hosting of the Champions Trophy will boost Pakistan cricket, but emphasized that there is still a long way to go.
"International cricket has already revived in Pakistan. Now, it is the turn of Pakistan to engage itself with the Champions Trophy rather than wasting time on other activities. If this tournament goes to the right direction, then it'll be very fruitful for Pakistani cricket and the youth. Even more, it will boost cricket in Pakistan, but so much is yet to travel," he concluded.
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