Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has made headlines with his candid remarks directed at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding the ongoing impasse over the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Singh urged the PCB to set aside their ego and accept the proposed hybrid model to ensure the tournament’s smooth conduct.
SOURCE : ZEE
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to be held from February 19 to March 9, 2025, across Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. However, the tournament’s fate hangs in the balance after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made it clear that India would not travel to Pakistan, citing security concerns. The hybrid model suggests that matches involving India be held at neutral venues, such as Dubai or Abu Dhabi, while Pakistan hosts the remaining games.
Source:- bbc news
Speaking to PTI, Harbhajan Singh emphasized the importance of prioritizing the sport over national pride. “Ask all players, they would say they are ready to play in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. In any case, we don’t see too many Indo-Pak games as such, and Pakistan should keep their ego aside and agree to the hybrid model. There is a security concern for India, and I have been saying this since 2022,” Singh stated2.
The PCB has been adamant about hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan, but recent comments from PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi suggest a potential softening of their stance. Naqvi emphasized the need for a solution that respects all parties involved and ensures cricket emerges as the true winner. “A lot is happening at the moment, and I want to ensure that nothing I say jeopardizes the ongoing process. We’ve presented our perspective, and India has shared theirs. Everyone involved is working hard to find a win-win solution, and above all, to ensure that cricket emerges as the true winner,” Naqvi said while interacting with reporters in Dubai2.
Naqvi also highlighted the importance of resolving the matter in a way that allows everyone to move forward with their pride intact. “The most important aspect is to resolve matters in a way that allows everyone to move forward with their pride intact. We will take the steps that are best for the game of cricket. Whatever formula we decide on, it will ensure equal footing for every party involved,” he added2.
Harbhajan Singh’s comments have sparked a debate among cricket fans and experts, with many supporting his call for a pragmatic approach to the situation. The hybrid model, if accepted, could set a precedent for future ICC events, ensuring that security concerns are addressed while maintaining the spirit of the game.
As the ICC and PCB continue to negotiate the terms of the hybrid model, the cricketing world watches closely, hoping for a resolution that will allow the Champions Trophy to proceed smoothly and uphold the spirit of the sport.
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