The PCB has written to the ICC and requested them to supply a written affirmation from the BCCI that they’re unable to play the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, in addition to giving a purpose for it.
The PCB was informed final Friday by the ICC that the BCCI has not been given permission by the Indian authorities for the Indian staff to journey to Pakistan for the match, scheduled to be performed throughout three venues in Pakistan from February 9. However the PCB desires it in writing from the BCCI that they’re unable to attend, in addition to the justification for it.
That ICC communication got here three days earlier than what would’ve been the official launch occasion for the match in Lahore, beginning a 100-day countdown. As an alternative, the occasion has been postponed, with uncertainty now swirling across the eight-team match.
The PCB’s stance in the intervening time stays unchanged: all the match can be performed in Pakistan with a senior PCB official reiterating to ESPNcricinfo there’s “no probability” of a hybrid mannequin being thought-about. Such a mannequin, used as soon as for the Asia Cup in 2023, would permit India to play their video games outdoors of Pakistan. There was hypothesis concerning the UAE getting used as a second venue on this occasion however the PCB has unequivocally dominated that out. The match is scheduled to be performed in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi between February 19 and March 9.
One of many causes the PCB is standing agency in the intervening time is as a result of they really feel aggrieved by occasions final yr. After they have been compelled to make use of a hybrid mannequin in internet hosting the Asia Cup, Pakistan agreed to journey to India for the World Cup. That call was taken after session with the federal government and permission was in the end granted – regardless of appreciable opposition – on the hope that it could result in India reciprocating by visiting for the Champions Trophy.
The identical authorities stays in place in Pakistan and Mohsin Naqvi, a senior determine inside it because the nation’s inside minister, is now the PCB chairman.
The PCB has additionally identified that the match was awarded to Pakistan three years in the past and no objection was raised on the time, or has been raised since. The PCB is believed to have offered a progress report on the ICC’s board conferences in October together with the intention to go forward with the 100-day launch occasion on November 11, with no considerations raised.
The ICC has been approached for remark.