Naqvi stands firm on hosting Champions Trophy in Pakistan

Reacting to Indian media reports that the Men in Blue will not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi said they have not received any such thing in writing, stressing that sports should be kept away of politics.

“Last night too when this news was run somewhere I had discussed this. I had also discussed this with my team. We have a clear stance that only a written document will be acceptable if anyone has any objections,” Naqvi told reporters here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

There are reports in the Indian media that India will not travel to Pakistan. The reports say that India has conveyed its stance to the PCB citing security concerns and it wants its matches at a neutral venue.

The PCB chief also made it clear that they have not been engaged by anyone on the ‘hybrid model’.

“We have not been engaged by anyone about hybrid model till date and nor we are ready for it. As far as the news which Indian media is reporting so they will have some letter which the ICC will give us but, so far, we have not received any such letter. We even today want cricket to be away of politics and we will continue making preparation for the Champions Trophy and inshaAllah it will be a successful event,” Naqvi said.

Naqvi said that such type of news is emerging through Indian media for the last two months.

Asked if the PCB receives any such letter, will the PCB will think about the hybrid model? Naqvi said if such thing happens then he will have to contact his government.

“And whatever the government will decide I will have to implement that,” said Naqvi, also Pakistan's interior minister.

“Pakistan has been showing very good gestures for the last few years and we hope not to expect such good gestures from us every time,” said Naqvi who is the strongest pillar of the sitting regime.

Asked when the schedule of the Champions Trophy and venues will be announced, Naqvi said that it will be done by the ICC.

“The ICC is bound to announce it and if it delays it then it will reduce contracts value and it will be looked after by the ICC. And we expect the ICC to announce the schedule soon,” he said.

Naqvi also said that the government will make the final call on whether Pakistan will send its team to the World Cup in India in 2026 if India doesn’t visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

“I am still positive and I want cricket to be kept away of politics. It’s another matter if you have any political differences with any nation but I think there should be no politics in sports,” Naqvi stressed.

“What I know is that every nation wants Pakistan to host the Champions Trophy and I am also in contact with the various boards and everyone wants to come to Pakistan. I don’t think anyone should be involved in such type of politics or will get involved and I am hopeful the event will be conducted in Pakistan,” Naqvi said.

Naqvi said Pakistan will properly look after the visiting nations.

“We will provide every kind of facilities to the visiting sides and we also want foreign fans to come to Pakistan and see matches,” he said.

Naqvi was also confident that the upgradation work of the Gaddafi Stadium will be completed before time.

“Our plan was to complete the grey structure in December and we will complete it before that. After that finishing will be made inside ten to 15 days,” he said.

New white-ball coach

About the expected changes in the PCB, Naqvi said changes are part of the routine exercise. He said that his team is working to decide about Pakistan’s white-ball coach.

“As far as white ball coach is concerned so our team will soon decide about that matter,” Naqvi said.

After former South African opener Gary Kirsten tendered unexpected resignation at a time when Pakistan team was set to tour Australia, the PCB gave the responsibility of handling the side to red ball coach Jason Gillespie who recently guided Pakistan to a 2-1 win in the Test series against England in Pakistan.

Asked whether it will be foreign coach or local, Naqvi said they are weighing both options.

Naqvi said that the Board is trying to boost cricket infrastructure so that the sport could be revived in the vital zones.

“We are in negotiation with the provincial government for four to five stadiums and if they are handed over to us then we will make them able to host matches,” he said.

Earlier Naqvi congratulated the whole nation on Pakistan’s emphatic nine-wicket win against Australia in Adelaide.

“I will give credit to the entire team and those who are at the back-end and the support staff. It’s a team work. InshaAllah it will give you good news in days to come and for the last nine years when we were not beating various teams inshaAllah we will show you how to beat them now,” Naqvi said.