Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali felt the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would end up losers if they accepted to a reported compromise deal with the International Cricket Council (ICC), terming that the offer to host the women’s World Cup in 2027 was nothing but a ‘lollipop’ from the global body.
As a concession, the ICC, BCCI and PCB have also agreed that the Pakistan men's team won't travel to India for their league game against the hosts in the T20 World Cup 2026 and will instead play the match in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
According to multiple sources, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is currently in the UAE, lobbying for Pakistan’s cause, has put forward a list of conditions, in a bid to help Pakistan retain the hosting rights of the marque tournament.
The impasse over the 2025 Champions Trophy continued as the all-powerful ICC board meeting failed to reach a consensus after meeting virtually for a little over 20 minutes on Friday, and is likely to meet again over the weekend to find a solution.
With fewer than 100 days left until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be hosted in Pakistan, the tournament's dates and fixtures remain unannounced, adding to the mounting uncertainty surrounding the event.
Naqvi maintained that the PCB is still awaiting a reply from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the details and clarity of the BCCI’s decision, which was conveyed to the global body.
The Trophy Tour is part of the global body’s promotional campaign, involving visits to multiple cities as per discussions between the international body and the host country.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had communicated to the ICC last week, citing security concerns across the border, as reason for refusing to send its team to Pakistan for the marquee ODI tournament, scheduled between February 19 to March 9, 2025.
However, Naqvi rubbished all reports, saying he has not received anything in writing, and if he receives an official communication, only then he can share it with the media and the Pakistan government.
The PCB confirmed the parting with the former South Africa opener on Monday, ahead of the white-ball team’s twin tours of Australia and Zimbabwe, where Pakistan will play six limited overs matches each.
