Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have reportedly told ICC the conditions that will make them visit India for this year’s ICC World Cup in October-November.
With the BCCI making it clear that Team India won’t visit Pakistan for this year’s Asia Cup while also rejecting their ‘hybrid model’, it is all but confirmed that Pakistan won’t be able to host the continental championship despite having the hosting rights. As things stand, the tournament is likely to be held in Sri Lanka.
In recent times, PCB had threatened to boycott the World Cup in response to India’s stand on the Asia Cup. But it looks like PCB have decided to give up on the Asia Cup and have come up with a different condition in order to participate in this year’s World Cup in India.
Pakistan Cricket Board’s condition to play in the World Cup:
PCB have reportedly told the ICC bosses that Pakistan would participate in the upcoming World Cup only if they is provided with a guarantee that Team India would return the favour by travelling across the border for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.
ICC chairman Greg Barclay and chief executive Geoff Allardice were recently in Pakistan and the PCB revealed their condition on Wednesday. With the Asia Cup matter not concerning the ICC, the PCB only focused on the World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, according to The Dawn.
The Pakistan board asked the ICC officials for a formal assurance of India’s participation in the Champions Trophy. Pakistan were awarded the hosting rights for the competition a couple of years ago. PCB also expressed their concerns over ICC’s revenue sharing model.
Recent reports suggested that India would take away 38.5 per cent of the governing body’s revenue, while Pakistan would get a mere 5.75 per cent. The report further stated that ICC are unlikely to do much to help PCB’s cause due to India’s stranglehold over the world’s cricket economy. In such a scenario, there is a chance of Pakistan skipping the World Cup this year.