Today's Edition
Kuumar Shyam (Abu Dhabi)
The world body International Cricket Council has deflected the fiery ball of fire that the Champions Trophy has become – for a couple of more days, even as the stakeholders fret over the days counting down to the tournament which is to be held in Pakistan from February 19 next year.
The status of the tournament is in limbo because India, the main driving force of every cricket tournament due to the strong financials associated in the dynamics involved, has refused to travel just like on other occasions in the recent past.
At a virtual meeting orchestrated from Dubai with all its members, it was decided meet again shortly – no time has been specified – to deliberate on the options with Pakistan refusing to budge and accept a hybrid model of hosting the tournament which India would have preferred.
The meeting lasted only 20 minutes. According to a ESPNCricinfo report, officials from Pakistan Cricket Board are also in Dubai even though the meeting was held online.
Due to the bitter past, the Indian government is unwilling to take part in any cricketing engagement with Pakistan, but matters get complicated with international multi-nation tournaments. While cricket is gradually returning to Pakistan, and other countries have agreed to play in the Champions Trophy, political unrest this week in the country means a Sri Lanka A team got nervous and left midway from their tour on Thursday.
While both India and Pakistan refuse to blink, the ICC is under pressure to release the match schedule which it normally finalises 100 days before any major tournament. That deadline passed on November 11.
There are four options on paper as listed:
* The hybrid option, where the majority of the matches are in Pakistan but those involving India are played outside Pakistan – in UAE or South Africa
* The tournament is played entirely outside Pakistan, with the PCB retaining hosting rights
* The entire event is played in Pakistan but without India
* The event is cancelled, leading to heavy financial setback for the broadcasters and Pakistan, mostly
Irrespective of what happens, people from Pakistan are understandably upset. Former Pakistan wicketkeeper and captain Kamran Akmal has already raised a voice saying a permanent solution needs to be looked at.
“The ICC has to take a decision sometime and I think this is the right time to find a permanent solution,” Kamran told Telecom Asia Sport. “If this Champions trophy adopts a hybrid model with India not coming to Pakistan then all other ICC events in India should adopt the same pattern with Pakistan not touring India.
"In my opinion one other solution is that the ICC should not schedule Indo-Pak matches until and unless there is a bilateral series. Once they start playing each other then only we should have matches in a multi-national event. Pakistan will have to take a strong decision and stick to it. That will help Pakistan create a good image,” Akmal said.
