PCB will dispatch a letter to ICC within next two days, adhering to govt\u2019s guidelines, say sources
\n LAHORE
\nThe Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is preparing to formally address the International Cricket Council (ICC) over India\u2019s decision to abstain from the upcoming Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be hosted in Pakistan.
\nSources told to media that the PCB would dispatch a letter to the ICC within the next two days, adhering to the government\u2019s guidelines.
\nFollowing comprehensive legal consultations, the PCB plans to request the ICC to provide concrete reasons behind the Board of Control for Cricket in India\u2019s (BCCI) \u201crefusal\u201d to send its team to Pakistan for participation in the mega tournament.
\nThe PCB intends to present a firm stance, reflecting the government\u2019s advisory, and will seek a written explanation from the BCCI detailing their decision, the sources said.
\nThe BCCI had previously communicated its decision to the ICC verbally, expressing its unwillingness to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, the sources had earlier said. Subsequently, the ICC informed the PCB of India\u2019s decision in writing, they added.
\nIn response, the sources said, the PCB consulted with the government to determine the appropriate course of action.
\nIn addition to engaging with the ICC, the PCB plans to reach out to other cricket boards to convey its position and gather support regarding India\u2019s withdrawal.
\nThe PCB\u2019s forthcoming correspondence with the ICC aims to address the implications of India\u2019s absence and to seek clarity on the matter.
\nAdditionally, the sources also revealed that the PCB would consult other cricket boards to share its concerns and gather support.
\nThis step follows directives from the federal government, which recently decided to adopt a firmer stance on sporting relations with India, responding to the Narendra Modi-led administration\u2019s refusal to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan for the tournament.
\nAccording to the sources, Pakistan\u2019s approach to cross-border sports diplomacy has shifted significantly, signalling Islamabad\u2019s resolve to challenge what it perceives as New Delhi\u2019s politicisation of sports.
\nThe PCB aims to emphasise the potential implications of India\u2019s absence on international cricket relations and ICC revenues, as the absence of Pakistan-India matches could have a substantial financial impact.
\nThe federal government had also instructed the PCB to resist any proposal of a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy, rejecting the idea of matches being held outside Pakistan.
\nThe Champions Trophy, a key event on the international cricket calendar, is slated to take place in February-March next year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PCB will dispatch a letter to ICC within next two days, adhering to govt\u2019s guidelines, say sources LAHORE The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is preparing to formally address the International Cricket Council (ICC) over India\u2019s decision to abstain from the upcoming Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be hosted in Pakistan. Sources told to media […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":125691,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-443052","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n