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Pakistan wants ICC explanation after India's Champions Trophy snub

Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year but winners India played all their matches in Sri Lanka under a 'hybrid model'

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India have not toured Pakistan since 2008 because of soured political relations between the neighbours, who play each other only in global multi-team tournaments. — AFP

By AFP

Published: Tue 12 Nov 2024, 3:52 PM

Last updated: Tue 12 Nov 2024, 3:54 PM

The Pakistan Cricket Board has sought clarification from the sport's governing International Cricket Council (ICC) following India's refusal to travel across the border for next year's Champions Trophy, a PCB spokesperson told Reuters on Tuesday.

India have not toured Pakistan since 2008 because of soured political relations between the neighbours, who play each other only in global multi-team tournaments.

Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year but winners India played all their matches in Sri Lanka under a "hybrid model".

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The PCB has ruled out a similar arrangement for the Feb. 19-March 9 Champions Trophy despite the Indian cricket board (BCCI) maintaining its stance of not sending a team to Pakistan citing government advice.

"The PCB has sent a letter to the ICC seeking clarification," the spokesperson said, adding it was awaiting Pakistan government advice before deciding their next step.

"The PCB received an email from the ICC late last week, stating that the BCCI has informed them that their team will not travel to Pakistan...

"The PCB has forwarded that email to the government of Pakistan for their advice and guidance."

ICC officials were not immediately available to explain how it planned to resolve the uncertainty around the elite 50-overs tournament.

While India's presence is crucial to the commercial success of the ICC event, Pakistan might pull out of the tournament should it be shifted out of the country, the Dawn newspaper reported on Tuesday citing sources.

The ICC is in talks with the PCB and the participating boards before finalising the schedule of the eight-team tournament.

Three cities are in line to host matches -- Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi -- for what would be Pakistan's first time to host a global ICC event since 1996.

Pakistan visited India for last year's ODI World Cup and the PCB had expected the gesture to be reciprocated for the Champions Trophy.

Last year's Asia Cup in Pakistan took place under a hybrid model with India playing their matches -- including the final -- in Sri Lanka instead.

Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan have fought three wars since being carved out of the subcontinent's partition in 1947 and that rivalry is often reflected on the cricket field.

India's powerful cricket body, the BCCI, has not made any public comment. Likewise, the ICC, where the BCCI carries great sway.

India cricket chief Jay Shah will take over as chairman of the ICC next month.

Indian and Pakistani media have speculated about how the impasse could be broken, but taking India out of the equation does not appear to be on the cards.

Any cricket match between the two is among the most watched events on the global sporting calendar.

"If you play the Champions Trophy without India or Pakistan, the broadcast rights aren't there, and we need to protect them," England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould said last month.

He added: "This is a big moment for Pakistan, and hopefully we can have the fullest possible competition in Pakistan.

"If that's not possible, we know there are options available."

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AFP

Published: Tue 12 Nov 2024, 3:52 PM

Last updated: Tue 12 Nov 2024, 3:54 PM

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