PM lauds PCB’s ‘principled’ stance on ICC Champions Trophy

Published December 8, 2024
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi calls on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on December 8. — PID
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi calls on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on December 8. — PID

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday praised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s “principled” stance over the hosting of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

The tournament, scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, has become embroiled in a dispute, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refusing to send its team to Pakistan, citing political and security concerns, despite assurances from all member boards regarding the security arrangements and the tentative match schedule.

BCCI representatives on Thursday turned down the PCB’s proposal of adopting a “partnership formula” for the next three years as part of efforts to break the ongoing deadlock between the two parties.

Addressing the continuing deadlock while speaking to the media in Lahore on Saturday, Naqvi said: “We had a meeting [with the ICC] today, it’s been postponed. Once the details have been finalised we’ll update you.”

Naqvi refused to answer or comment on any alleged developments with the ICC or the BCCI regarding the Champions Trophy, only saying that “we will not disappoint the nation”.

The PCB chairman called on the PM at his residence and briefed him about recent developments regarding the ICC Champions trophy.

“Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif expressed full confidence in Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi regarding the Champions Trophy tournament,” said a post from the Interior Ministry on X.

PM Shehbaz said that Naqvi’s stance on hosting the tournament reflected “the voice of Pakistanis”, adding that the chairman “represented sentiments of the 240 million Pakistanis before the ICC”.

“Pakistan’s prestige is the first and foremost while everything else is secondary,” the premier stressed.

Naqvi, who also holds the portfolio of the country’s interior minister, said the PCB is fully prepared to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan and all preparations were in place.

“We want victory for Pakistan and cricket,” Naqvi said.

Opinion

From hard to harder

From hard to harder

Instead of ‘hard state’ turning even harder, citizens deserve a state that goes soft on them in delivering democratic and development aspirations.

Editorial

Canal unrest
Updated 03 Apr, 2025

Canal unrest

With rising water scarcity in Indus system, it is crucial to move towards a consensus-driven policymaking process.
Iran-US tension
03 Apr, 2025

Iran-US tension

THE Trump administration’s threats aimed at Iran do not bode well for global peace, and unless Washington changes...
Flights to history
03 Apr, 2025

Flights to history

MOHENJODARO could have been the forgotten gold we desperately need. Instead, this 5,000-year-old well of antiquity ...
Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
Updated 01 Apr, 2025

Women’s rights

Such judgements, and others directly impacting women’s rights should be given more airtime in media.
Not helping
Updated 02 Apr, 2025

Not helping

If it's committed to peace in Balochistan, the state must draw a line between militancy and legitimate protest.