
The ICC Champions Trophy drama continues to unfold after India decided not to play in Pakistan which are the official host of the tournament. The event, which is scheduled to be played from February 19-March 9, is in limbo after India's stance and Pakistan's refusal to buckle down.
After the ICC made the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) aware of the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) official stance and the 'suggestion' of playing the tournament in a hybrid model, the situation has gotten worse.
The PCB has asked ICC to tell BCCI that a written confirmation is required with proper justification of their decision to not travel to Pakistan. Furthermore, the PCB has been instructed by the Pakistan government to not back down and not accept the hybrid model.
"We have been told by our government not to move any game out of Pakistan, and that will be our stand when the time comes. Right now, the ICC has just informed us about India's decision. We have the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy so there is no way we can move the games outside Pakistan," a PCB official told the newspaper Indian Express on condition of anonymity.
The BCCI had suggested Dubai as one of the venues for their matches instead of playing in Pakistan which the PCB has rejected out and out.
The drama was always bound to happen as the two countries don't play any bilateral cricket due to political tensions between them. India had also refused to play the Asia Cup 2023 in Pakistan and the tournament later was played under a hybrid model with India's matches being played in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan, however, did travel to India for the ODI World Cup 2023 and expected India to return the favour.