Shahid Afridi condemns BCCI for using politics to block Pakistan's Champions Trophy plans

With the ICC's emergency meeting fast approaching, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has come forward to voice his support for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in its ongoing dispute over the 2025 Champions Trophy.

The veteran all-rounder has strongly condemned the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for mixing politics with sport, as tensions rise ahead of the tournament scheduled to take place in Pakistan next year.

Afridi's remarks come at a crucial moment, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) set to hold an emergency meeting on 29 November 2024 to resolve the impasse.

The conflict stems from the BCCI's refusal to send the Indian team to Pakistan due to security concerns, leaving the future of the Champions Trophy uncertain. In return, the PCB has rejected the proposed hybrid model, which would see India's matches played at neutral venues.

As things stand, the ICC faces mounting financial and legal pressure, with broadcasters threatening to pull out unless the situation is resolved quickly.

The former all-rounder also highlighted that Pakistan, despite security concerns, has toured India five times since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, including a bilateral white-ball series in 2012. He reiterated that it was time for the ICC to uphold fairness and assert its authority.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on 28 November 2024, Afridi wrote: "By intertwining politics with sports, the BCCI has placed international cricket in a precarious position. Fully support the PCB's stance against the hybrid model – especially since Pakistan (despite security concerns) has toured India five times, including a bilateral white-ball series, post-26/11. It's time for the ICC and its Board of Directors to uphold fairness and assert their authority."

Afridi's comments reflect a broader sentiment within Pakistan cricket, with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi echoing similar views. Naqvi has made it clear that Pakistan will not accept any compromise regarding the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy.

Speaking at a press conference on 28 November 2024, Naqvi reiterated the PCB's position, stating: "Our stance is very clear. It's not acceptable that Pakistan plays cricket in India, and they don't come here. Whatever will happen, will happen on the basis of equality. We've told the ICC very clearly."

The dispute centres around the hybrid model proposed by the ICC, which would allow India to play their matches at neutral venues while Pakistan hosts the remainder of the tournament. The PCB has rejected this model, insisting that the Champions Trophy should be held entirely in Pakistan, with all participating teams, including India, playing on Pakistani soil.

Reports suggest that the ICC is prepared to offer financial incentives to the PCB to accept the hybrid model, but Naqvi has made it clear that the PCB will not sell its rights for financial gain. "We'll not just sell our rights out just for more money. This will never happen. But we'll do whatever is best for Pakistan," Naqvi said.

The ICC is under increasing pressure to find a resolution to the situation, as broadcasters and other stakeholders warn of significant financial losses if the issue is not resolved soon. With the tournament just a few months away, the ICC's decision will have lasting implications for the future of international cricket in the region.

As the ICC meeting draws near, all eyes are on the board's decision. The outcome will not only determine the fate of the Champions Trophy 2025 but also set a precedent for how political tensions may continue to influence international cricket.

Afridi's call for fairness and the PCB's unwavering stance against the hybrid model underscores the broader issues at play, with the integrity of sport hanging in the balance.

In the coming days, the ICC will have to decide whether to uphold the PCB's position or force through a compromise that could see India's participation in the tournament contingent on a neutral venue arrangement. For Pakistan, the stakes could not be higher as they fight to retain their hosting rights for one of the sport's most prestigious events.