Champions Trophy: Mohsin Naqvi leaves for ICC meeting

DUBAI: The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, left for Dubai on Monday to attend an ICC Board of Directors Meeting.

ICC BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

Media reports revealed in September that the PCB chairman would be meeting the future chairman of the International Cricket Council and Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BBCI) Jay Shah.

The meeting which will be held later on Monday, will likely finalize the logistical arrangements for the upcoming Champions Trophy set to take place in Pakistan. Currently, the PCB are awaiting approval for the event’s schedule.

The meeting will also discuss India’s participation in the tournament, which has been a contentious issue in recent months. Due to security concerns for India, a hybrid model has been suggested by some, including the England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Richard Thompson.

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If a hybrid model is adopted, India’s matches will be played at a neutral venue. One such venue could be Dubai, which has been suggested by the BCCI, and has been home to many of Pakistan’s game’s following the 2009 attack that injured six Sri Lankan players and killed eight Pakistanis in Lahore.

TOURNAMENT ARRANGEMENTS

Earlier, the PCB chairman visited Gaddafi stadium in Lahore, reviewing the construction work and inspecting the upgrade of enclosures. As the 2025 Champions Trophy, set to begin in February, is rapidly approaching, Naqvi directed the work on the project to be accelerated.

“Ensure the highest quality of work at all costs,” Naqvi said, adding that they “will complete the project in record time.” The chairman also stated that no effort will be spared for the “timely completion of the project.”

PROPOSALS

If India will play in Pakistan, the ICC broadcasters have suggested that their matches should take place at multiple venues to increase viewership. Based on the proposed match schedule, India would play all their games in Lahore. Sources have said that Pakistan has no opposition to the proposal, and suggested that another venue could be Rawalpindi.

Champions Trophy: PCB proposal regarding India’s travel

Indian media also claimed that the PCB made a proposal to the BCCI regarding India’s travel arrangements for the upcoming tournament. Due to the week-long break between their final group stage match on February 23, and their match against Pakistan on March 1, the PCB suggested that the Indian team could return to Chandigarh or New Delhi between games, according to CrickBuzz.