Uswah Zahid, Jadetimes Staff
U. Zahid is a Jadetimes contributor covering Politics and Sports.
Amid the ongoing uncertainty over the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has hinted at a possible solution that would benefit not only the country but the sports as well.
Speaking to journalists in Dubai on Saturday, the PCB chairman said that a "long-term formula" would be chalked out and applied to all the tournaments hosted by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in the future.
"We will not allow one-sided decisions [...] decisions should be made based on equality," he stressed a day after the ICC held a virtual board meeting wherein Pakistan and India were directed to find a solution.
It was agreed that both the countries would find a solution for the hosting of the tournament.
The meeting came in light of the issue surrounding the hosting arrangements of the Champions Trophy, which is set to take place in Pakistan next year.
However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to send its team to the country citing security reasons while the PCB has rejected a hybrid model which proposes that all matches of the Men in Blue to be played outside Pakistan.
Moreover, Naqvi expressed concern over India's refusal to send its team, saying the Green Shirts had visited the neighbouring country, however, the archrivals do not.
The PCB chairman also said that a formula must be chalked out for all future ICC events and shouldn't be limited to the Champions Trophy only.
Moreover, Naqvi also met Mubashir Usmani, the chairman of the ICC associate member committee and former secretary of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB).
Taking to X, Naqvi said he discussed the "important issues regarding the organisation of the Champions Trophy tournament" in his meeting with Usmani.
"Pakistan is fully prepared to host the tournament in our country. We are a peaceful nation, and our people have a deep love for cricket." Naqvi told Mubashir.
Speaking about the security concerns raised by the BCCI, Naqvi and his team said all the teams coming to Pakistan will get presidential-level security during the mega event. "Cricket fans in Pakistan are eagerly awaiting the matches. Every participating team will be provided with state-guest-level protocol and security."
He further said that the politics should be kept separate from sports, adding that the Champions Trophy holds a significant honour for Pakistan. "We warmly welcome every team with open hearts and will ensure a world-class experience for all,” he added.
