(Source X)
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reportedly instructed PCB officials to refrain from making any public statements or comments about India’s participation in next year’s ICC Champions Trophy.
Recent updates suggest that the PCB has abandoned efforts to persuade the BCCI to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the prestigious tournament. Instead, the board is now relying on the ICC to address the issue. To avoid any unnecessary controversy, Naqvi has advised officials to withhold comments on India’s position.
According to PTI, Naqvi’s primary focus is on preparing for the upcoming tournament, leaving the task of convincing the BCCI to the ICC. The PCB is operating under the assumption that India will indeed be part of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year.
“That is why in recent days there is no comments or statement coming from either Naqvi or any other board official on what will happen if India doesn’t send its team to Pakistan,” one PCB insider told the news outlet.
The PCB is diligently preparing to host the tournament, implementing every possible measure to ensure readiness. The board has submitted the draft schedule and all required documentation, including detailed security plans for each team, to the ICC. Mohsin Naqvi has emphasized the need for the PCB to concentrate solely on these preparations and to refrain from publicly discussing India’s position on the matter.
“The PCB has sent the draft schedule and submitted all other documents including security plans for each team to the ICC now it is for the owners of the Champions Trophy to convince India to send its team,” the insider said.
Mohsin Naqvi keeps his cards close to the chest.
According to another PCB source, Mohsin Naqvi prefers to keep his plans confidential in the event that India opts not to travel to Pakistan next year. The source mentioned that the PCB chairman recently consulted with Pakistani government officials to finalize a strategy for such a scenario.
“It is clear Naqvi doesn’t want to show the PCB’s cards on what will be the reaction of the board if India again refuses to send its team but behind closed doors after meetings with the government officials a strategy has been finalised,” the source said.
India has not traveled to Pakistan since 2008, with bilateral cricketing relations between the BCCI and PCB suspended due to ongoing political tensions between the two countries. Despite Pakistan’s visits to India for ICC events in 2016 and 2023, India has consistently maintained its position of not crossing the border.
