The International Cricket Council (ICC) is trying its best to find a middle ground and put an end to the Champions Trophy stand-off after India refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament and the host nation’s reluctance to adopt a hybrid model.
The BCCI has written to the ICC that they won’t visit Pakistan for the next year’s Champions Trophy, after which reports filtered in about Pakistan asking the ICC to explain the reasons behind India’s refusal.
While the deadlock continues, former PCB chairman Najam Sethi sees three options for the ICC arising from the current situation.
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“ICC has very few options,” said Sethi while talking to ‘Samaa TV’.
“One, India comes to play, which they will not. They refused for kabaddi, also blind cricket. Earlier, kabaddi teams used to come, similarly tennis players came for Davis Cup before. This time they (India) have taken a hard line, not just on cricket but on other things (sports) as well. So I think there is something serious here. In that case, it could be a hybrid model, with some matches played in Pakistan and India’s matches held elsewhere,” he said.
Interestingly, when the last Asia Cup was turned into a hybrid model, Sethi was the PCB chairman. India played all their matches in Sri Lanka after refusing to visit Pakistan for the tournament.
The Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be played from February 19 to March 9 next year, faces a similar situation.
“The second option is that if the hybrid model is not acceptable to Pakistan, then the ICC moves the entire tournament to another country. Then, what options will Pakistan have? Either they will say ‘we boycott the Champions Trophy’ or they agree to play at another venue. But after having rejected a hybrid model, will they consider playing in another country? I think that will be a difficult situation for Pakistan…It may turn into a big issue in political circles,” said Sethi.
The former PCB boss’s third option was more of an advice for Pakistan to tread with caution instead of making an emotional decision.
“If you have rejected a hybrid model after India refused to come and also rejected playing in another country, then you won’t play in the future ICC events also. So you are basically going to push yourself out of the ICC. And if you do that, then what will remain besides bilateral cricket? You don’t make much money in bilateral cricket because it is reciprocal,” the 76-year-old Sethi analysed.
“Whoever is making these decisions, they should think what is its logic? India knows its logic behind the boycott; they can sustain it. They have done it before…ICC will then be compelled. But what will Pakistan do?…So my advice is that whoever is making the decisions should think wisely and not emotionally.”
The Champions Trophy will be making its return to the ICC calendar for the first time since 2017.
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