The writing was on the wall. As if nothing extraordinary, but the stance of the India Cricket Team and the BCCI has been unmoved. Under no circumstances would Team India travel to Pakistan to play the ICC Champions Trophy. As per reports, the BCCI has informed the PCB about their concerns and how Rohit Sharma and Co would want to play their matches at a neutral venue, Dubai in this case.
Previously, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) offered a solution of allowing India to come to Pakistan, play their matches, and travel back to Delhi or Chandigarh. But this proposal hasn’t been accepted by the Indian board. Amidst a heavy schedule, the extra burden of too much travel would cause a massive strain on the players.
BCCI informs PCB for Hybrid model of ICC Champions Trophy
“This has been our stance and there is no reason to change that. We have written to them and asked them to shift our games to Dubai,” a source in the know informed The Indian Express.
Pakistan is the host of the tournament and the ICC Champions Trophy is slated to kick start on 19th February. But as things stand, the BCCI continues to be unwavering in their notion. The BCCI under the guidance from the Government of India has made it clear that the team won’t travel to Pakistan under any circumstances.
Last year, India declined to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. As a result, the ACC introduced a hybrid model where India’s matches were instead held in Sri Lanka.
While the PCB and BCCI continue to be at loggerheads, the ICC is expected to come up with an amicable solution for the same. With the two neighboring countries sharing a geo-political difference, it remains imperative that India will cross the border to play at Pakistan in this ICC event.
