Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), was commended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday for his “principled” approach to hosting the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
Despite assurances from all member boards regarding the security arrangements and the tentative match schedule, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has refused to send its team to Pakistan, citing political and security concerns. This has led to a dispute surrounding the tournament, which is set to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9.
In an attempt to end the ongoing impasse between the two parties, BCCI representatives rejected the PCB’s suggestion on Thursday to adopt a “partnership formula” for the ensuing three years.
Speaking to the media in Lahore on Saturday, Naqvi addressed the ongoing impasse by stating: “We had a meeting [with the ICC] today, it’s been postponed.” When everything is finalized, we’ll keep you informed.
With the statement that “we will not disappoint the nation,” Naqvi declined to respond to or discuss any purported developments with the ICC or the BCCI on the Champions Trophy.
The PM was visited at his home by the PCB chairman, who gave him an update on the latest happenings with the ICC Champions trophy.
According to an Interior Ministry post on X, “Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif expressed full confidence in Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi regarding the Champions Trophy tournament.”
The chairman “represented sentiments of the 240 million Pakistanis before the ICC,” PM Shehbaz said, adding that Naqvi’s position on hosting the tournament mirrored “the voice of Pakistanis.”
The premier emphasized that “Pakistan’s prestige comes first and everything else comes second.”
The PCB is ready to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, according to Naqvi, who also serves as the nation’s interior minister. All the necessary arrangements have been made.
“We want cricket and Pakistan to win,” Naqvi stated.
publish on december 8 2024
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