PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has expressed the position of the board very “clear’ to hosting the Champions Trophy, adding that “it’s not possible that Pakistan play in India, and they don’t come here”. “Our stance is very clear,” Naqvi said during a press conference held at the Gaddafi Stadium. “We’ll do what’s best for Pakistan cricket. I’m constantly in touch with the ICC chairman, and my team is talking to them constantly. We are still very clear in our stance that it’s unacceptable that we play cricket in India, and they don’t play cricket here. Whatever will happen, will happen on equal bases. We’ve told the ICC very clearly, and what happens next we’ll let you know.”
Champions Trophy is supposed to be hosted in three venues in Pakistan during the months of February and March next year. But, at their meeting with the ICC earlier this month, India conveyed that their government had not granted them permission for travel to Pakistan for the event last time around more than five years ago.
“Anything we do will keep in mind securing the best interest of Pakistan,” Naqvi reiterated on a number of occasions. “But I repeat, and I am sure you know what I mean, it’s not possible that Pakistan play in India, and they don’t come here,” said Naqvi.
Naqvi adds that whatever is decided in the ICC meeting will ultimately go to the Pakistan government through PCB for ratification.
Also, he called on Jay Shah, who, on assuming the position of ICC chairman on Sunday, would resign from his post as BCCI secretary, to take concern for the ICC benefit in handling the organisation by him.
“‘Jay Shah takes charge in December and I am sure when he moves from BCCI to ICC he will consider ICC’s benefit and that’s how it should be.’ Whenever anybody takes such charge, he/she should only weigh what benefits the organization.”
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