Shahid Afridi stands with PCB against hybrid model for Champions Trophy

On November 28, 2024, former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi expressed his support for the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) position on hosting the Champions Trophy 2025. The PCB is currently in discussions with the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the tournament, which is scheduled to take place between February 19 and March 8, 2025. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stated that they will not travel to Pakistan for the event and has proposed a hybrid model for the tournament, where India's matches would be held at a neutral venue. This proposal was rejected by the PCB, which insists that the championship should be hosted entirely in Pakistan. Afridi's comments came at a critical time when the ICC must devise a plan to accommodate the tournament amid rising tensions and logistical challenges stemming from political issues between India and Pakistan. He criticized the intertwining of politics and sports, suggesting it has placed international cricket in jeopardy. Afridi reminded observers that, despite security concerns, Pakistan has toured India on several occasions since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and he urged the ICC to ensure fairness and exercise its authority in this matter. The ICC has responded to this predicament by calling a joint meeting with the PCB and the BCCI to seek solutions for the tournament's hosting arrangements. The urgency of finding a resolution cannot be overstated as time is running out, and a delay or postponement of the Champions Trophy is becoming increasingly possible if the involved parties cannot reach a consensus. With the backdrop of ongoing tensions between Indian and Pakistani cricket boards, Afridi's support strengthens the PCB's position against the hybrid model. His advocacy reflects a broader sentiment among cricketing fans emphasizing the need for cricket to rise above political issues. The outcome of the ICC's discussions will likely set a precedent for how future international cricket events are managed amidst political unrest, and the entire cricketing world will be watching closely as the situation unfolds.