A 'hybrid model' to host next year's Champions Trophy in Pakistan remains an option as India's participation cannot be decided by the ICC if there is a government policy against it, a source in the governing body's all-powerful executive board told reporters on Friday.
The ICC board meeting is currently underway in Dubai.
The Champions Trophy, which will be held in February-March 2025, is not on the agenda but newly-elected PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has stated that he wants to speak with his BCCI counterpart Jay Shah as well as ICC bigwigs on the sidelines, seeking some kind of assurance.
However, an ICC Board member, who is privy to the developments, feels that any decision by BCCI, will only be taken closer to the tournament and once again, the idea of using UAE as a potential venue cannot be entirely discarded.
"Every member can raise concerns for discussion at Board meetings and then it would go to a vote. But if the government (of a member nation) expressly say that they can't play there, ICC would need to look for an alternative," a veteran administrator, who has attended multiple board meetings, said on conditions of anonymity.
"....because ICC Board's position remains that it doesn't expect its members to go against any policy/instructions issued by its government," he said.
Teams from England, Australia, and New Zealand have all travelled to Pakistan in the recent past and the BCCI will also be under pressure to visit the strife-torn country for the multi-nation engagement.
Asked if any hesitation from India would lead to a vote against the country, the source said such a situation would not arise if there is a government directive.
"Don't forget threat perception for an Indian cricket team would always be higher compared to Australia, England and New Zealand," said a former BCCI office-bearer, who is aware of the inner workings of the global body.
Will diplomacy work?
In January-February, the Indian Davis Cup team was in Islamabad for its World Group Play-off tie and the players as well as the support staff were satisfied with the security arrangements.
However, the stakes are considerably higher when it comes to the Indian cricket team featuring superstars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant.
"The BCCI would be compelled to look at it from the point of view that the Pakistan government allowed its team to play in the World Cup in India last year.
"So, this being a global event and not a continental one like the Asia Cup, the Indian government might take a softer stance. BCCI president Roger Binny and VP Rajiv Shukla had travelled to Pakistan during the Asia Cup," hoped the ICC board member.
Follow us
