India-Pakistan, Champions Trophy impasse: After Islamabad unrest, ICC set to propose hybrid model to PCB

At a virtual meeting called for by the International Cricket Council, The Indian Express understands that a hybrid model is likely to be proposed to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the Champions Trophy which will see India’s three matches, a semifinal and the final to be played in a neutral country. The ICC has called for an all-important board meeting on Friday to end the impasse after India refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. Thereafter, the ball would be in Pakistan’s court whether to accept the offer or not with the countdown ticking.

Ever since the Board of Control for Cricket in India communicated to the ICC that it has been denied permission by its government to travel across the border for the Champions Trophy, the status of the tournament has been in limbo. The PCB, headed by its country’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi, has been strong in its stance that it won’t accept a hybrid model that was used at last year’s Asia Cup. PCB wants the entire Champions Trophy to be played at Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi. However, fresh tensions rising in Pakistan, which led to Sri Lanka’s cricket board canceling it’s A team tour, is unlikely to help PCB’s stance during the meeting.

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