Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @harbhajan3
Harbhajan Singh, the legendary India National Cricket Team off-spinner, has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to set aside their ego and accept the hybrid model for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Harbhajan pointed out that the India and Pakistan teams play very few matches against each other and suggested that the 2025 Champions Trophy match should be held in the UAE. He also noted that no player would have any issue with playing India vs. Pakistan matches in neutral venues like Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
“Ask all players, they would say they are ready to play in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. In any case, we don’t see too many Indo-Pak games as such, and Pakistan should keep their ego aside and agree to the ‘Hybrid Model’,” the legendary India National Cricket Team spinner said, as quoted by PTI.
“There is a security concern and I have been saying this since 2022,” he added.
The Indian government has denied permission for the India National Cricket Team to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to security concerns, leading India to request a hybrid model where they would play all their matches in the UAE.
The PCB initially resisted this model, preferring to host the entire competition on home soil.
However, recent reports suggest that the PCB has softened its position. In a meeting between BCCI and PCB officials, the PCB proposed a “Partnership or Fusion Formula,” which would see matches between teams from both countries played at a neutral venue, like Dubai, for all ICC events hosted by either country in the next three years, according to Cricket Pakistan.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
