“将确保冠军奖杯在巴基斯坦举行”

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) aren’t willing to back down. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may have decided they won’t travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025, but the PCB are adamant they’ll host the 8-team tournament at home.

PCB not bowing down

PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi remains adamant that Pakistan will host the event. They’ve already written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and are waiting for a reply, but unlike past times, they aren’t willing to bow down to the BCCI.

“We will ensure that Champions Trophy is held in Pakistan. We have written a letter to the ICC, we are awaiting a response. I believe sports and politics should not be mixed together. I am just hoping for a positive result,” Naqvi told reporters.

Talk to us: Mohsin Naqvi to BCCI

Just last year, PCB were to host the 2023 Asia Cup, but the BCCI refused to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan, and therefore the majority of the tournament was shifted to Sri Lanka. PCB doesn’t want to suffer the same fate this time around. Reports have indicated that Pakistan are even speculating to withdraw from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 if they aren’t allowed to host the event.

“I think no one can give us a tough time. Every ICC member has its right, things cannot function like this. I am just hoping for a positive result when it comes to Champions Trophy. ICC needs to think about their credibility, the Champions Trophy tour has been rescheduled. Every other team in the world, that has qualified for the Champions Trophy, is ready to come and has no issue. If India have any concern, then I suggest them to talk to us. I don’t think there is any reason for them to not come here,” said the PCB Chief.

Naqvi urges ICC to announce the schedule for Champions Trophy 2025

“The ICC needs to announce the schedule, I am just hoping they announce the schedule soon. We are waiting for the schedule, the sooner it is announced, the sooner we can get the stadiums ready,” Naqvi added.