The venue of next year's Champions Trophy continues to be a mystery, as hosts Pakistan have threatened to pull out of the tournament, following India's refusal to travel to the country for the tournament.
The ICC is learnt to have proposed a 'hybrid model' after the BCCI informed the world body of its inability to send the Indian team to Pakistan because of security concerns. Last year's Asia Cup was held in a similar manner, with India playing their matches in Sri Lanka while the rest of the matches were held in Pakistan. On Sunday evening, PCB confirmed getting an email from the ICC, stating BCCI's stand.
As per the proposed hybrid model, India's matches will be played in the UAE, and the final in Dubai. The ICC has, reportedly, assured the PCB that it would get the full hosting fees and a majority of the matches, under this arrangement.
Reports suggest that if Pakistan reject ICC's proposed hybrid model, the tournament may be shifted to South Africa. It is learnt that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has threatened to pull out of the tournament if the country is stripped of its hosting rights.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi was quoted by The Dawn as saying that no discussions have been held with the ICC or the BCCI over adopting a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy. He added that the board will abide by the Pakistan government's decision, and that the country has “shown great gestures to India in the past, and we wouldd like to say clearly India shouldn't expect such friendly gestures from us every time”.
The Pakistan government may direct the PCB to refrain from playing against India in any ICC or ACC events until the political issues between the two countries are resolved. The PCB may also pursue legal action against the ICC and the BCCI at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Geneva.
India have not travelled to Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The two teams have played against each other only in ICC tournaments since then.