During a recent media conference at the LCCA Ground in Lahore, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Mohsin Naqvi, remained tight-lipped regarding the current deliberations on the Champions Trophy schedule. Naqvi was asked about the status of the tournament, but he remained short and told that the talks were in progress. He assured everyone that the PCB would not “disappoint the nation.”
Meeting Postponed And Hybrid Model Discussions
According to reports, the International Cricket Council had scheduled a meeting for Saturday, December 7. However, Naqvi has confirmed that the meeting has been postponed. Specific details are scarce but sources indicate that both ICC and PCB are inching closer to agreeing on a hybrid model for global tournaments. This hybrid model would see matches between India and Pakistan played on neutral venues, an agreement reportedly to be in force for all ICC events in both the nations till 2027.
“We had a meeting (with the ICC) today, it’s been postponed. Once the details have been finalised, we’ll update you,” Naqvi said during a press conference.
“Talks are still ongoing, but I do not want to say anything that is premature. We are aiming to achieve the best for Pakistan and international cricket,” Naqvi said.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi speaks to the media at LCCA Ground, Lahore. pic.twitter.com/gxkVpQqNbH
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 7, 2024
What Lies In The Future?
According to the report by ESPNCricInfo. ICC and PCB were likely to finalise a hybrid model and the two boards had reached an agreement that the matches of both the countries will be played in a neutral venue, but it is still not known whether it will be applied on women’s cricket.
The two countries are going to host a number of ICC events in the present commercial cycle (2024-27), which includes Champions Trophy 2025 hosted by Pakistan and Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, which is scheduled to be held in India. In addition, the men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Whether the hybrid model will have an impact on these tournaments for women’s cricket remains to be seen.
