Champions Trophy : PCB Issue Bold Warning to the ICC, BCCI, says No Room for Hybrid Mode | Reports

The buzz around the Champions Trophy has remained imminent even though the competition doesn't take place until next year. The controversy currently surrounds Team India, as they are not willing to travel to the host nation, Pakistan. The tensions among the cross-border countries have been there for long, and India hasn't engaged in any bilaterals with the Men in Green. Both sides only face each other in ICC competitions, and the last time they faced off against each other was in the T20 World Cup. It looks like the PCB isn't playing anymore as they have put up a strict statement towards the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding Team India's participation.

Also Read: PCB turns down NOC request from players to play in Global T20 League

PCB Rigid Upon Solely Hosting Champions Trophy, Puts Pressure on ICC Over Team India’s Participation

The ICC annual conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka, saw the PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi go strict upon India's participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy, which was primarily discussed in the occasion. It was reported that the BCCI could propose to the ICC a hybrid model for the tournament since they are not willing to travel to the host nation amid the rising tensions. But Naqvi isn't backing down, as he has asked the ICC to take responsibility for bringing the Men in Blue to Pakistan.

"PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has made it clear to the ICC that Pakistan will host the 2025 Champions Trophy, and there will be no hybrid model. It's ICC's responsibility to bring India to Pakistan for the event, and not PCB's task," the reports mentioned.

Also Read: 'What r u smoking?': Harbhajan Shuts Down Pakistani Journalist's Comparison of MS Dhoni with Rizwan

Team India last travelled to Pakistan in the year 2008 when MS Dhoni led the Men in Blue at the Asia Cup. In 2023, when India refused to travel to Pakistan for the ACC tournament, the Council made changes and turned the tournament into a hybrid one, with Sri Lanka hosting India's matches. The Final also took place in the Island Nation, where the Rohit Sharma-led Team India won the title.

The BCCI may consult the central government over their travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025, and it is yet to be seen what happens, given that the PCB isn't willing to back down either.