The possibility of a decision regarding the ICC Champions Trophy has increased this week. Top officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have once again reached Dubai and are busy in negotiations with the International Cricket Council (ICC), while sources say that most of the issues have been agreed upon.
According to details, India had refused to send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. It wants to play its matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under a hybrid model. The PCB also took a tough stance and presented a partnership or fusion formula, under which their teams will play their matches in the UAE in ICC events to be held in both countries for the next 3 years.
Read more: Champions Trophy; When will the final decision be made, new date revealed
Initially, India showed reluctance, but then accepted most of the conditions, however, objections continued to be raised on some, due to which the Champions Trophy schedule has not yet been released.
There has been silence in this regard for the last 2-3 days, but according to sources, behind-the-scenes negotiations are ongoing. Former PCB COO Salman Naseer has been in Dubai for the past several days, while current COO Sameer Syed has also arrived there.
Both of them continued their talks with ICC officials yesterday. Direct negotiations are no longer taking place with the Indian board, but the international council is assisting.
Read more: Champions Trophy; “A hybrid model is fine! Write it down for Indian events too”
Pakistan had made some suggestions to compensate for the financial loss due to the Indian team’s non-appearance, but now things seem to be moving in a positive direction.
An announcement on the Champions Trophy issue may be made this week itself. The PCB itself wants the issue to be resolved soon because it also has to make other arrangements for the event, including ticketing.
It should be noted that the Indian media has also claimed that the Indian Cricket Board has expressed its consent to the Pakistani formula on the issue of the Champions Trophy.
