‘Cricket should win but Pakan’s pride is also important’: PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi on hybrid model for Champions Trophy 2025 | Cricket News

Amidst the hybrid model emerging as the most likely resolution to the Pakan-India Champions Trophy conflict, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi conceded that cricket should be the “ultimate winner”
Speaking on the sidelines after Pakan Under-19’s 43-run win over India U19 in the ACC U19 Asia Cup on Saturday in Dubai, Naqvi all but confirmed the hybrid model, indicating a change in stance from previously objecting to a hybrid tournament. The eight-team Champions Trophy is slated to be held in February-March 2025 and a final decision on the hosts is yet to be fulfilled the ICC.
“I don’t want to comment too much because that can ruin things. We have given our point of view (to the ICC), the Indians have also given theirs. The effort is to ensure a win-win for all,” Naqvi told reporters.
“Cricket should win, that’s most important but with respect for all. We are going to do what’s best for cricket. Whichever formula we go for, it would be on equal terms,” he added. “Pakan’s pride is most important. We have to ensure that cricket wins but Pakan’s pride also remains intact.”

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s media talk in Dubai. pic.twitter.com/ctla8awqww
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) November 30, 2024
The PCB had earlier threatened a boycott if the hosting rights were not granted on the whole and India’s demand for a neutral venue was accepted.
“Let’s see what happens,” Naqvi said when quizzed about the hybrid model. “My effort is to ensure that there is no one-sided system. It shouldn’t be that we travel to India and they don’t come to our country. Idea is to settle it once and for all on equal terms.”
With the BCCI secretary Jay Shah all set to take over as the ICC chairman in a couple of days, several neutrals say, like always, the world’s richest board, the BCCI, will have its way.
The Indian Express reported that a day before the ICC meet on Friday, Naqvi had said that he had raised the issue of equality with the ICC. “We’re still clear in our stance that it’s not acceptable that we play cricket in India, and they don’t play cricket here. Whatever will happen, will happen on the basis of equality. We’ve told the ICC very clearly, and what happens next we’ll let you know.”
Pakan travelled to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup last year where they endured an eight-wicket defeat to the hosts before a group-stage exit. The teams last met during the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York where India secured a six-run victory.