If reports from credible publishers are to be believed then Pakistan may take a strong stance against India’s refusal to travel Pakistan. According to AryNews, Pakistan may look to opt out of the Champions Trophy as a way to show retailiation towards BCCI. Recently it was confirmed by the PCB that they have received a forwarded email by ICC from BCCI informing that India will not be travelling to Pakistan as government has denied them permission.
No Hybrid Model
Fans may have been assuming that Pakistan would have immediately talked about the Hybrid model once the official stance of BCCI was conveyed to the PCB, however, credible reports from ARYNews and GeoNews says that the PCB has strongly refuted any possible scenario of hybrid model after consulting with their government officials. The report also states that PCB may even think of dragging BCCI to the ICC International Court of Arbitration.
No Group Match this time after 1992 World Cup ?
A journalist in Pakistan has even claimed that internal discussions at PCB may look to avoid any group matches with India in order to show tit for tat towards BCCI in marquee event like Champions Trophy if India’s matches are decided to be played at neutral venue . The journalist’s name is Ejaz Wasim Bakhri who operates BBN Sports. Earlier, the journalist has been claiming for months that BCCI have no choice other than to travel to Pakistan.
Reservations from Indian Players Also : Vikrant Gupta
Prominent Indian Cricket journalist Vikrant Gupta opined during a chat with ARYNEWS that some of the current Indian cricketers may have expressed their reservation in travelling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. Vikrant also opined that in case Pakistan decided to take a strong stance of pulling out of Champions Trophy, it may face strict sanctions from the ICC.
No matches with India in any event?
Another well-known Youtuber journalist who covers Pakistan cricket has also opined that Pakistani government officials may give a free hand to PCB to avoid matches with India in the future also and that the meeting for such discussion will be held shortly.
Revenue loss of BCCI or of PCB?
There is no doubt that India Pakistan matches attract the maximum sponsorships and this is why ICC always group both teams in the same group to maximize the possibility of three Indo-Pak matches in the tournament. Pakistan being the host of the tournament may lose a significant revenue if they avoid match with India. In case of hybrid matches of both teams, the Pakistani grounds and cities will suffer revenue loss.
