LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has raised concerns over the sport’s global governing body’s “credibility” in the wake of the controversial resche­d­uling of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy Tour last week.

After the northern towns of Skardu, Hunza and Muzaffarabad were announced as the Trophy Tour’s venues by the PCB, the ICC, following reports on Indian media that the Board of Cricket for Control in India had objected the choice of the venues, acted quickly by asking the PCB to make changes.

A day later, the ICC announced a revised list of venues through its own website and social media channels. While the initial venues gave way to objections because of their status as part of Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

Responding to a question over the ICC’s possible double standards for choosing Leh as one of the venues for the 2023 World Cup Trophy Tour last year during a press talk here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday, Mohsin said he expected the body to stay neutral.

“I think ICC should reconsider its credibility,” said the PCB chief. “It is meant to represent all the cricketing bodies of the world.”

The ICC is currently under fire amid uncertainty over the fate of the Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan from February 19 to March 9 next year.

Despite having awarded Pakistan with the hosting rights of the tournament in 2021, the body has found itself in a fix after the BCCI verbally informed the ICC on Nov. 18 of its inability to travel across the border citing disapproval of the country’s government.

After the ICC informed the PCB of India’s correspondence, the board sought reasons for its Indian counterpart’s unofficial decision through the ICC, which is yet to respond.

“… we have written a letter, and we are waiting for a response,” Mohsin said. I still believe that sports and politics are separate things. No country should mix them. I still hope for good things.”

While the PCB, with the backing of the Pakistan government, is mulling at the option of withdrawing the national side from the Champions Trophy after having ruled out the chance of a hybrid model, speculations have suggested that the tournament may be shifted out of Pakistan.

With BCCI secretary Jay Shah to take charge as the ICC president on Dec. 1, there are fears that Pakistan may be pressured.

“… each member country has its rights, and such matters can’t be dictated,” said Mohsin. “But, as I’ve said before, I remain hopeful about the Champions Trophy.

“All the teams that have qualified for it are ready to participate, and no one has any issues. I still say that if India has concerns, they can talk to us, and we will address those concerns. I don’t believe there’s any reason India shouldn’t come.”

Mohsin, who talked against the backdrop of an under-construction building at the Gaddafi Stadium — which is undergoing renovation work to prepare it for the Champions Trophy matches, including the final — said the PCB was waiting for the ICC to announce the schedule.

“ICC needs to announce the schedule, and I hope they will do so soon,” he said. “We are waiting for that announcement to proceed with our preparations accordingly.”

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2024