UAE envoy Abdulnasser Alshaali offers to host Pakistan-India Champions Trophy match
Deadlock remains on the ICC Champions Trophy schedule after India’s refusal to play in Pakistan. Photo: AFP
As the fate of the ICC Champions Trophy remains undecided and the PCB continues to reject the hybrid model reportedly suggested by India, UAE Ambassador to India Abdulnasser Alshaali expressed the desire to host the action-packed clash between the arch-rivals.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has firmly stated its position on not traveling to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, while the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) remains resolute in its plan to host the entire tournament in Pakistan.
The ICC board meeting on the issue concluded without finalising the venue for the eight-team event, which is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan in February and March, 2025.
Amid the uncertainty, Alshaali has said that the UAE is open to hosting the blockbuster cricket match between the two arch-rivals India and Pakistan.
When asked if the UAE would be willing to host the India-Pakistan Champions Trophy match, Abdulnasser Alshaali told ANI, "Why wouldn't we? We have always hosted such games and will continue to do so. The UAE is open for business and for sports."
While reiterating its stance to not share the hosting rights with any other country, the PCB had formally informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) of its decision to reject the hybrid hosting model for the Champions Trophy 2025.
"We remain firm in our position: Pakistan will not agree to a hosting arrangement where another country becomes involved. It is unacceptable for the Pakistani team to travel to India to play matches while the Indian team refuses to come to Pakistan," the PCB is reported to have told the ICC.
However, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi did not categorically rule out a hybrid model for the hosting of the tournament, but ruled out any one-sided arrangement.
While talking to media in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, he said that If we adopt any other formula except hosting the tournament in Pakistan, it will be done on the basis of equality. The most important thing for Pakistan is its respect; everything else is secondary, he added.