India not playing cricket in Pakistan is unacceptable: PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said that India not wanting to play cricket in Pakistan is unacceptable. Naqvi has said that India should honour gesture when Pakistan went to play in India during the World Cup, despite political differences.

In Short

• Pakistan are hosting the Champions Trophy
• India are not expected to travel to Pakistan for the tournament
• PCB chairman Naqvi hits out at India once again

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi has hit out at India once again ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, November 28, Naqvi said that it was not acceptable that India do not come to play an ICC tournament in Pakistan, despite the Pakistani side travelling to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Naqvi, who is struggling to keep the Champions Trophy entirely in Pakistan due to political differences between the two countries, said that he will do what is best for Pakistan cricket. Naqvi said that he was in touch with the ICC delegates on the matter and that the PCB was clear that they wanted to host the entire tournament in Pakistan.

"I promise we'll do what is best for Pakistan cricket. I'm constantly in touch with the ICC chairman and my team is talking to them constantly. 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," Mohsin Naqvi said in the press conference on November 28.

Naqvi further confirmed that they had not received any written communication from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about not travelling to Pakistan.

"Whatever we do, we will make sure the best outcome for Pakistan is achieved," Naqvi said. "But I repeat, and I am sure you know what I mean, it's not possible that Pakistan play in India, and they don't come here."

The ICC is set to hold its board meeting on Friday, 29 November, to discuss the Champions Trophy and finalise the schedule for the eight-team event, which is slated to take place early next year, India Today has learnt. The announcement of the fixtures for this marquee ODI tournament has been delayed.

Pakistan holds the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy, but India's decision not to send its cricket team to play in Pakistan has created an impasse. The PCB has been adamant about not adopting a hybrid model, which would involve hosting some matches at a neutral venue. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi reaffirmed this position last week, while also offering measures to address India's concerns, including assurances about security.