LAHORE, Nov 30 (Agencies): The Pakistan Cricket Board has informed the International Cricket Council that it will only accept a solution that will concur with its stance, Geo News reported on Saturday.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made its stance clear about not travelling to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. On the other hand, the PCB has held firm on hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan.
To find a solution for the current predicament around the tournament, ICC called a meeting on Friday with all members to figure out a decisive solution.
The development comes ahead of another ICC board meeting over the controversy, which was reportedly scheduled for Saturday but the cricket governing body later announced that it could not be held on Saturday, as the BCCI has reportedly sought more time after Pakistan's firm stance.
Discussions were taken regarding the future of the tournament in the meeting, which reportedly lasted for 15 minutes. In the end, the meeting was adjourned for Saturday.
Sources told Geo News that the recent development has come before another ICC meeting, which was reportedly supposed to be held on Saturday but couldn't be conducted. They also added that progress on the matter will be made after the ICC gives a reasonable and viable formula while stating, "Pakistan's stance is unchanged ."
Due to strained political relations between the two nations, India has not toured Pakistan since 2008, when they participated in the Asia Cup. The two arch-rivals last played a bilateral series in 2012-13 in India, comprising white-ball matches. After that, India and Pakistan have primarily faced each other in ICC tournaments and Asia Cups. With the hybrid model always in play, the PCB chairman had previously brushed away the idea of hosting the tournament in such a fashion. Recently, he promised that the board is trying to do what is best for Pakistan cricket.
"Our stance is very clear. I promise we'll do what is best for Pakistan cricket. I'm constantly in touch with the ICC chairman, and my team is talking to them constantly. We're still clear in our stance that it's not acceptable that we play cricket in India, and they don't play cricket here. Whatever will happen, will happen on the basis of equality. We've told the ICC very clearly, and what happens next we'll let you know," Naqvi was quoted by ESPNcricinfo as saying.
They also said that after Pakistan's meeting with the ICC and other boards a day ago, the PCB had contacted various stakeholders.
It was agreed that Pakistan and India, in collaboration with the ICC, would work towards identifying an acceptable and workable solution for the tournament's hosting arrangements.
The meeting was called in the wake of India's refusal to play in Pakistan, followed by Pakistan's firm stance rejecting a hybrid model and warning that it would reciprocate by boycotting future events in India if the situation persisted.
Sources within the ICC revealed that initial consultations during the brief meeting resulted in a consensus for Pakistan and India to explore a mutually agreeable plan, potentially involving two or three other member boards as facilitators.
The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be hosted in Pakistan, but India's decision not to travel to Pakistan to play its matches in the country has cast doubt over the event.
Pakistan, maintaining a resolute position, has reiterated that a hybrid model - where matches would be split across two venues - is not an acceptable option.
During the short ICC meeting and earlier interactions with the governing body's leadership, Pakistan reaffirmed its stance, demanding that all the boards should be treated equally.
Sources added that both Pakistan and India are expected to consult their respective governments before finalizing any arrangements.
An ICC spokesperson confirmed the discussions, stating, "The board held a brief meeting today, and all members are committed to resolving the Champions Trophy issue amicably. Further meetings are planned in the coming days."
Additional meetings on the Champions Trophy's future are expected to continue over the weekend.
Meanwhile, BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla stated that the board is in discussions with the PCB and that the ICC is also working to find a solution to the matter.
"As far as our position is concerned, we will do what our government tells us to do," he told reporters.
Earlier, India's foreign office spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated that the BCCI had cited security concerns over travelling to Pakistan.
"The BCCI has issued a statement. They have said that there are security concerns there, and therefore, it is unlikely that the team will be going," Jaiswal said during a weekly press briefing on Friday.
This statement contradicts the BCCI's earlier, albeit indirect, claim that the decision not to visit Pakistan was due to government restrictions, as the government's official stance refers back to the BCCI's statement.
However, as of Saturday morning, there was no public statement from the BCCI.
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