Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has voiced his strong support for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as it stands firm on its decision to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 entirely within Pakistan despite India’s demand for adopting a hybrid model.
The ninth edition of the Champions Trophy is slated to take place in the February-March window of 2025, but India’s participation remains shrouded in uncertainty.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on November 10 communicated to the PCB that the Indian government is currently unwilling to permit their cricket team to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.
In response, the PCB took proactive measures by sending a formal letter to the ICC, reflecting the concerns of the Pakistani government regarding India’s withdrawal.
Furthermore, the PCB has decisively rejected the notion of a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy 2025. They reaffirmed their unwavering resolve to host the entire tournament within Pakistan as planned.
The PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday once again reiterated the cricket board’s stance against the hybrid model.
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“We’re still clear in our stance that it’s not acceptable that we play cricket in India, and they don’t play cricket here. Whatever will happen, will happen on the basis of equality. We’ve told the ICC very clearly, and what happens next we’ll let you know,” Naqvi stated.
Shahid Afridi took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account and backed Naqvi’s stance in hosting the tournament completely in Pakistan. Meanwhile, he also urged the ICC to assert its authority against India.
“By intertwining politics with sports, the BCCI has placed international cricket in a precarious position,” Afridi posted.
“Fully support the PCB’s stance against the hybrid model – especially since Pakistan (despite security concerns) has toured India five times, including a bilateral white-ball series, post-26/11. It’s time for the ICC and its Board of Directors to uphold fairness and assert their authority.”
For the unversed, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has scheduled a crucial board meeting for November 29.
The primary agenda will be to explore the future of the Champions Trophy 2025, which is slated to take place in Pakistan during the February-March window next year.
The board members will weigh various options, including the possibility of implementing a hybrid model, relocating the event entirely to a neutral venue, or postponing the tournament.
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