The International Cricket Council has asked Pakistan to either agree to the 'Hybrid' model of hosting for next year's Champions Trophy or prepare to be excluded from the event after the PCB's adamant stand led to an inconclusive meeting of its executive board on Friday.
The emergency meeting in Dubai was supposed to thrash out the schedule of the event in February-March next year but could not arrive at a consensus after Pakistan again turned down the 'Hybrid' model despite India's stern refusal to travel there due to security concerns.
It is said that the majority of the ICC board members empathized with Pakistan's case, but the PCB chief, Mohsin Naqvi, was, however, told to accept the 'Hybrid' model as the only "feasible solution" for the current mess. If a 'Hybrid' model is adopted, India's share of Champions Trophy matches will be held in the UAE.
"Look, no broadcaster will pay a penny to an ICC event that doesn't have India and even Pakistan knows that. The ICC meeting on Saturday will only take place if Mr Mohsin Naqvi agrees to the 'Hybrid Model'," an ICC Board source said requesting anonymity.
"If not, then ICC Board might have to shift the tournament entirely to a different country (could be UAE too) but it will be held without Pakistan," he added.
The meeting on Friday, that was held with deputy chairperson Imran Khwaja in the chair in the absence of outgoing head Greg Barclay, for unexplained reasons, was very brief after Naqvi restated his country's stand once again.
This was going to be Barclay's last official engagement before new chair Jay Shah takes over early next month. "All parties are working towards a positive resolution for the Champions Trophy 2025 and it is likely that the Board will reconvene on Saturday and continue to meet over the next few days," said a senior administrator of an ICC full member nation, who is also a part of the Board, to PTI.
In Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) restated BCCI's position that the Indian team cannot go to Pakistan for the time being due to security concerns. "BCCI has put out a statement. They have stated that they have security concerns there and, therefore, it is not very likely that the team will be traveling there," said an MEA spokesperson during a routine briefing as the country's participation in the Champions Trophy came up.
Naqvi had attended the meeting in person because he has been in Dubai since Thursday to push Pakistan's stance. BCCI secretary Jay Shah attended the meeting online. Shah will take charge as the new head of ICC on December 1.
It is understood that if the tournament is rescheduled, the PCB will have to forego its hosting fee of USD six million along with gate revenue. There could also be a significant cut to their annual revenue, which is to the tune of USD 35 million.
Unless the 'Hybrid Model' comes into play, even the ICC would be in a spot of bother as official broadcaster Star would then renegotiate the multi-billion dollar deal with the body. It is the only available window between February 19 to March 9 for the tournament as all the other participating nations have their bilateral engagements beyond that.
As things stand, the PCB can negotiate for a handsome compensation for having to share the hosting rights but a full tournament in Pakistan is unlikely. Pakistan also have the option of hitting back at India by not coming for the ICC T20 Women's World Cup in India in 2025. A veteran BCCI official, who has followed the politics of ICC closely, explained the scenario.
"Look, they can ask for a Hybrid Model for 2025 Women's T20 World Cup but that will be a long shot. As far as the men's T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan's matches will be in Sri Lanka mostly. "The India vs Pakistan can be decided later," he added.
Read also| Bajrang Punia Handed Four-Year Suspension by NADA for Anti-Doping Violation
