The International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation, headed by Chairman Greg Barclay and CEO Geoff Allardice, has declared Pakistan as a peaceful nation for sports and expressed its contentment with its ability to host the 2025 Champions Trophy.
While visiting Lahore, the ICC delegation indicated their willingness to mediate between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), with the aim of resolving any disputes. Additionally, they sought assurances from Pakistan regarding their participation in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup.
The BCCI expressed concerns about the possibility of the PCB’s proposed hybrid model for the Asia Cup being extended to the ICC World Cup. Sethi also mentioned that if the Pakistani government did not approve the team’s visit to India, the PCB would request the ICC to host the matches at a neutral venue.
This scenario would be a significant setback for both the ICC and the BCCI, as an India-Pakistan match held in India is not only economically lucrative but also draws a packed stadium.
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On the other hand, holding the match in any other country would not attract a large crowd, which is why the BCCI Secretary was reluctant to accept the hybrid model for the Asia Cup.
The head of PCB also declared that if the Asia Cup were to be moved from Pakistan to a neutral country, the Pakistani team would opt out of participating.
Despite the Asian Cricket Council’s endorsement of the hybrid model, the BCCI remains hesitant, potentially leading to the relocation of the Asia Cup away from Pakistan. During their visit, the ICC delegation also toured the National Cricket Academy and Museum.
