DUBAI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has suggested a new formula for hosting the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Naqvi, along with other PCB officials, watched the Pakistan vs India game in the U-19 Asian Cup.
After Pakistan beat India by 43 runs, Naqvi stood up for a brief interview with Geographic News.
During the conversation, Naqvi emphasized his previous stance of not holding the Champions Trophy in the hybrid model. Meanwhile, he suggested a possible new model for hosting the extravaganza.
“We will do what is best for cricket, but there is no room for unilateral agreements. If not a hybrid model, any other new model, but based on equality,” said Naqvi.
“Pakistan’s respect comes first. We cannot accept a situation where we play in India but they refuse to come here. Whatever is decided, it should set a balanced precedent for future tournaments,” he added.
Reflecting on discussions with the ICC and BCCI to address long-standing issues, he said:
“It’s not just about the Champions Trophy. We are here to find solutions that will shape the future of cricket for years to come. Our aim is to ensure fairness and equality across all formats and tournaments.”
On Friday, a crucial ICC board meeting called to discuss the future of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was postponed just 15 minutes after it began. It was agreed that Pakistan and India, in collaboration with the ICC, would work towards identifying an acceptable and viable solution for the organization of the tournament.
The meeting was called in the wake of India’s refusal to play in Pakistan, followed by Pakistan’s firm stance rejecting a hybrid model and warning that it would reciprocate by boycotting future events in India if the situation persisted.
Naqvi also praised the Pakistan U-19 team for their victory over India. The 45-year-old said: “Our under-19 players are just as important as our senior team. We are formulating a proper plan to prepare these boys and with the right investment, they will produce results in 2-4 years,” he shared.
The men in green achieved a 43-run victory against India on Saturday.
Sohail Imran is a senior reporter at Geo News.
