Javed Miandad reacts to Champions Trophy solution: PCB has gained more than BCCI-OxBig News Network

Legendary Pakistan batter Javed Miandad praised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its sensible handling of the Champions Trophy saga, welcoming the decision to host the 50-over tournament using a hybrid model. Miandad stated that the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) mediation of the new agreement between India and Pakistan for world events represents a bigger victory for Pakistan than for their arch-rivals.

On Thursday, 20 December, the ICC announced that next year’s Champions Trophy would be held in a hybrid model—featuring three venues in Pakistan and a neutral venue to host India’s matches. The decision followed a protracted standoff after India refused to travel to Pakistan.

Although Pakistan initially rejected the hybrid model, the ICC ensured that all stakeholders, including the BCCI and PCB, reached an agreement. Pakistan had previously suffered setbacks, including losing nine matches and the final, when they agreed to host last year’s Asia Cup using a hybrid model.

The ICC also announced that matches between India and Pakistan in world events hosted by either country between 2025 and 2028 would be held at neutral venues.

“I think the PCB took the sensible approach and, instead of doing something rash and facing isolation from the ICC and other cricketing nations, opted for a solution where I believe the PCB has gained more than the BCCI,” Miandad said, as quoted by the PTI news agency.

“Still, Pakistan is hosting a major event after a very long time, and we have sent a clear message that if you don’t come and play in our country, we will also not play in India,” he added.

The agreement means that Pakistan will not travel to India for their matches during the Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025 and the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026.

Meanwhile, Pakistan was also awarded the hosting rights for the Women’s ODI World Cup in 2028 on Thursday. However, the PCB was not compensated monetarily for the partial loss of hosting rights for the Champions Trophy.

Former Pakistan spinner Iqbal Qasim praised the PCB for successfully securing the ICC, BCCI, and ICC board’s agreement on a compromise formula.

“The BCCI is a very strong and financially influential board. But unlike last year’s Asia Cup, this time our board took a stance and gained something. The main thing is that we are hosting the tournament and will also not travel to India to play in ICC events. Both teams will now compete at neutral venues,” Qasim said.