The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC), rejected the possibility of adopting a hybrid model for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 following India’s refusal to travel to the host country, ARY News reported on Tuesday citing sources.
The cricket board sent a letter to the ICC following directives from the country’s government to express its concerns. The PCB conveyed that the Pakistani government is determined to host the entire tournament.
Sources reported that the PCB has sought official clarification and concrete reasons for India’s refusal to tour Pakistan in a letter.
In its letter, the PCB clearly stated that hosting the Champions Trophy using a hybrid model is not an option, emphasizing that Pakistan will not compete against India at any alternate venue.
The upcoming ninth edition of the Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in Pakistan in the February-March window in 2025, however, India’s participation in the tournament is uncertain.
Previously, reports emerged in Indian media, citing a source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), that Team India will not be visiting Pakistan for the tournament citing security concerns.
However, on Sunday, sources confirmed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that the Indian government is not ready to allow their cricket team to travel to Pakistan.
In response, the PCB has been considering different options at the moment, with a possibility of them opting out of the tournament completely in case of a hybrid model, sources reported.
The cricket board is also considering refusing to play against India in all future tournaments if it does not send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
