Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday started discussions with high-ranking government officials to formulate the next steps after ICC informed PCB that India has refused to visit Pakistan for the next year’s Champions Trophy. It was only later that the IPC confirmed that Naqvi and his team had received an email from the ICC regarding the Government of India’s decision not to send its players to Pakistan for the flagship event of the tournament, even though Naqvi had previously insisted on a ‘Hybrid Model’. “Mohsin Naqvi who has also been pronounced as the federal interior minister is orienting other government officials and right now it is about waiting for prime minister sharif’s pronouncement,” a PCB official mentioned. ‘, the official said adding the disappointment exactly stems from the unreasonable position held by Indian about India coming to Pakistan when Pakistan assured full protection of all the guests during the ICC event.’ “This is very disappointing as there is no valid reason for India to yet again back out from sending its players to Pakistan.”
“The preparations for holding the tournament are on course and we have already given our commitment to the ICC that the best security arrangements of all the teams including India will be put in place,” the official mentioned.
The official admitted that boycotting all matches against India would bring financial repercussions for Pakistan’s cricket but maintained that the cricket schedule is not a compelling consideration.
At the same time, many conspiracies are rampant in Pakistan that the Indian policy towards Pakistan should change before playing with India even in the ICC events or any other multi-nation engagement, which most likely include the Champions Trophy being hosted in Pakistan.
As such, it has been made known that Pakistan may raise the issue of India politicizing matters concerning sports to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) if an all-out sporting ban against the Indian contingent is called for in the first place.
The cricket board of Pakistan did not remain calmly quiet either after Indians announced such a decision, and one of the remaining former Test skippers of Pakistan Rashid Latif insisted on the need for the PCB’s strong retaliation.
“It’s high time to call it quits. When all teams are playing in Pakistan without any trouble, India imposing this ban is pure politics and that’s unacceptable in any sport including cricket,” said Latif.
Former Test captain Javed Miandad called for a ban on playing any matches against India.
“It is funny that such a situation is occurring. Even if we don’t play India in any capacity, Pakistan cricket will survive and also do well — as we have in the past,” he stated.
“I want to know how the ICC tournaments make profits in the absence of Pakistan and India matches,” Miandad remarked.
Inzamam ul Haq, who also captained Pakistan team in Test series as a former captain, Big Inzi also expressed frustration.
“They are robbing cricket of such a significant event. There is no risk posed by the Indian team in Pakistan. On the contrary, they would receive incredible hospitality here,” he claimed.
The last time India sent its men’s cricketers to Pakistan was for the 2008 Asia Cup.
Nevertheless, Pakistan toured India for a three-match One Day International series of 2012-13, the T20 World Cup in 2016 and this year for the 50-over World Cup.
Former Test batsman Mohsin Khan stated that one should never mix politics and sports.
“I mean does the Indian government really believe there is any threat to their team in Pakistan. But I would advise on remaining calm before making any decision,” he remarked.