BCCI Stands Firm: Yusuf Pathan Backs India’s Stance on Pakistan Champions Trophy
Former Indian cricketer Yusuf Pathan has thrown his support behind the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to not send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. India’s firm stance stems from ongoing concerns about player safety and national interest.
Speaking to ANI, the 2011 and 2007 World Cup winner stressed the BCCI’s commitment to protecting its players. “BCCI always thinks about the players and their safety. So whatever BCCI does is in the interest of the players and the nation,” said Pathan.
India has refused to play in Pakistan, citing longstanding political and security issues. As a result, talks of a compromise have considered a hybrid tournament model. It may set a new precedent for international cricket.
Hybrid Model Proposed for ICC Tournaments
Recent news says the ICC and PCB have, in principle, agreed to a hybrid hosting model for ICC events until 2027. If either country hosts the tournament, India-Pakistan ICC games could be at neutral venues.
The PCB hasn’t made an official statement. But, ESPNcricinfo reports the agreement. The PCB will host the Champions Trophy in February 2025. But, the hybrid model’s details are not finalized.
Key details about the hybrid model:
- It would allow matches involving India and Pakistan to be played at neutral venues.
- There are talks about whether this model will apply to both men’s and women’s tournaments.
- This framework may also affect future ICC tournaments. These include the women’s ODI World Cup in India (late 2025) and the men’s T20 World Cup (2026), co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
ICC and PCB Discussions Continue
The agreement reportedly came from meetings in Dubai. They were between newly-appointed ICC Chair Jay Shah and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Shah, the BCCI Secretary, held talks during a visit to ICC headquarters. It coincided with a scheduled board meeting.
The ICC Board will hold a meeting this Saturday. It will discuss the Champions Trophy’s hybrid hosting arrangement. As the talks continue, the future of cricket diplomacy is uncertain. It is critical for both nations and global cricket governance.
Background: India’s Stance on Playing in Pakistan
India’s refusal to tour Pakistan has been a long-standing issue. It is due to political tensions and security concerns. The BCCI has consistently prioritized player safety and national interests in its decisions. This stance has led to several cancelled bilateral series. It has also limited encounters between the two teams to ICC and Asia Cup tournaments, often at neutral venues.
The PCB wanted to host the Champions Trophy entirely in Pakistan. But, the hybrid model is a compromise. It addresses India’s concerns while keeping Pakistan as an ICC tournament host.
Key Takeaways:
- Yusuf Pathan supports the BCCI’s choice to prioritize player safety over playing in the Pakistan-hosted ICC Champions Trophy.
- A hybrid model for hosting ICC events is under consideration. It would allow India-Pakistan games at neutral venues.
- The ICC board will discuss it further. Then, it will decide on the Champions Trophy hosting framework.
