Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @icctrophytour
The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to host the 2025 Champions Trophy in a hybrid format, following India‘s refusal to travel to Pakistan, has sparked discontent within the organization.
According to sources cited by IANS, several PCB members are unhappy with how the decision was handled. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that under the hybrid model, India will play their matches in Dubai, while the rest of the tournament will be hosted in Pakistan.
As part of the arrangement, Pakistan has been compensated by being allowed to play their matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup in Colombo and granted hosting rights for an ICC women’s event after 2027.
However, the PCB’s acceptance of this proposal has led to internal disputes. Some members criticized PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, accusing him of yielding too easily to ICC’s tactics, sources revealed to IANS.
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif is among those critical of the decision, arguing that being offered a women’s cricket tournament after 2027 is insufficient compensation for hosting the Champions Trophy under a hybrid model.
Commenting on the issue, Basit Ali, another former cricketer, voiced his dissatisfaction on his YouTube channel, describing the ICC’s proposal as a “lollipop” to placate the PCB. “Now it is being said that in 2027 or 2028, a women’s World Cup will be given to Pakistan. Everybody will say, ‘waah ji waah! This is great, not one but two ICC events (in Pakistan)!’ But what’s the point of events like these? It’s being done so that in 2026, the Pakistan team will travel to India and the Indian women’s team will then come to Pakistan. The broadcasters won’t suffer any losses.”
“Do you know what a lollipop is? This is a lollipop the ICC is giving to the PCB…that if you agree to this, don’t ask for anything in writing and we will give you another ICC event. This won’t be of any benefit (to Pakistan). They should rather bid for the Asia Cup, which is next year. The PCB should ask for this. The PCB won’t benefit by hosting the Women’s World Cup or U-19 World Cup. If the PCB accepts this lollipop, they’ll be the losers.”
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Stay ahead of the latest cricket industry trends by subscribing to our free cricexec “daily briefing” newsletter.
Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
