Lahore. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi of ‘full support’ on the issue of hosting the Champions Trophy next year and said the country should maintain its self-respect while dealing with the issue, according to sources. Sharif is also the patron of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He also told Naqvi that it was not just a matter of money as public sentiments should also be kept in mind. India has refused to play its Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan and has instead demanded the tournament be played in a ‘hybrid model’.
So that it can be allowed to play its matches at a neutral venue. According to a top source in the International Cricket Council (ICC), the game’s global governing body has reached a consensus to organize the Champions Trophy in a ‘hybrid model’ which will allow India to play its share of matches in Dubai while A similar arrangement has been agreed ‘in principle’ for competitions in several countries by 2027. Naqvi on Sunday briefed Sharif about the behind-the-scenes developments, but the PCB did not reveal details of the meeting.
“The Prime Minister assured the PCB of his full support on this issue and appreciated the stance taken by the (PCB) Chairman on India’s refusal to play in Pakistan,” the source said. ” He said Sharif told Naqvi that everything is not about money and Pakistan should deal with the matter keeping in mind its self-respect and pride. According to ‘Geo TV’, during the meeting, the Prime Minister told Naqvi, “The stand taken by the PCB in the Champions Trophy issue after India refused to play in Pakistan reflects the sentiments of all Pakistanis.”
Naqvi has said that any decision on the Champions Trophy will be taken after consulting the government. Another source close to the government said that Naqvi had met the Prime Minister to inform him about Pakistan’s next step as the Indian cricket board was not ready to accept the ‘fusion formula’ proposed by the PCB before the ICC. . “Basically Naqvi wanted to keep the Prime Minister updated and seek his approval if the PCB decided to break the impasse by taking any difficult decision on the tournament,” the source said. ”The PCB wants the BCCI to accept a formula under which if India does not play any ICC tournament in Pakistan then the neighboring team will also not come to India for any tournament.