PCB contacts ICC over its stance on Champions Trophy

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reached out to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to clarify its position on hosting the Champions Trophy 2025, amidst growing concerns over the hybrid model and its implications for future tournaments.

According to sources, the PCB has firmly stated that playing a match against India at a neutral venue under the hybrid model is not acceptable. The board has urged the ICC to propose an acceptable playing formula before its upcoming board meeting.

The PCB has also made it clear that if the hybrid model is enforced, Pakistan will not participate in future ICC events held in India. The sources said the PCB has urged the ICC to make a decision on this before its board meeting scheduled for tomorrow. 

An official response from the ICC is now awaited following PCB’s clarification of its stance. 

Meanwhile, reacting to the uncertainty about the venue of the tournament, former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi remarked that by “intertwining politics with sports”, the Indian cricket board has “placed international cricket in a precarious position”.