BCCI ‘notifies’ ICC of decision to skip Pakistan tour for Champions Trophy

NEW DELHI: A day after the Indian media said that their cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2015, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has “informed” the International Cricket Council (ICC) about the decision.

According to ESPNcricinfo, the BCCI has conveyed to the ICC that their government has advised the board not to send the team to Pakistan.

The eight-team Champions Trophy is scheduled to be played at three venues in Pakistan between February 19 and March 9.

After the Indian refusal, the ICC and the PCB are likely to put in place a contingency plan, likely involving a hybrid model where teams would shuttle between Pakistan and a neutral and second venue.

Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had ruled out opting for a hybrid model.

Sources said that various contingency plans had been discussed in case the hybrid model was accepted. While there are a few countries shortlisted, it is understood the UAE, due to its proximity to Pakistan, was likely to be the frontrunner. Sri Lanka, too, is on the shortlist.

The ICC was informed of the BCCI stance earlier this week, though it could not be confirmed whether the BCCI had orally communicated its decision. It is possible the ICC is looking for written communication before it can relay that to the PCB. Naqvi had insisted on Friday that the PCB would need “in writing” any objections the BCCI had and if so, then he would need to discuss it with his government before any final decision was taken.

Neither the ICC nor the PCB and the BCCI have commented on the developments.

The Champions Trophy would feature eight teams, with two groups of four followed by semi-finals and a final. The competing teams are Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa

November 11, will mark 100 days until the start of the event, although the schedule and ticketing details are yet to be announced.