The standoff related to the Champions Trophy hosting is close to resolution, and former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has said that “a deal has been struck between the ICC, BCCI and the broadcaster” in the latest video on his YouTube channel.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly given a conditional agreement to a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan from February 19 to March 9.
“Everybody got to know that it is going to be a hybrid model, which was also agreed upon by PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, but with the condition that the same model will be in force for the 2026 ICC event (T20 World Cup) in India,” Basit said in his video.
He also claimed that the ICC is trying to lure Pakistan with an offer to host a women’s World Cup sometime in 2027-28 so that they send their team to India for the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup.
“Now it is being said that in 2027 or 2028 a women’s World Cup hosting rights will be given to Pakistan…Everybody will feel ‘wow! Not one but two ICC events in Pakistan!’ But it’s being done so that in 2026 Pakistan team goes to India, and the Indian women’s team will then come to Pakistan. The broadcaster won’t suffer any losses,” said Basit.
“This is a lollipop ICC is giving to PCB — that you agree to this, don’t ask for anything in writing, and we will give you another ICC event. This won’t be of any benefit,” he added.
The 53-year-old former batter said that PCB should ask for the Asia Cup rights, even though it’s a decision that comes under the ambit of the Asian Cricket Council, and not the ICC.
“PCB should have asked for the Asia Cup, which has 2-3 India-Pakistan matches, even if in hybrid mode. I know they will say it is the Asian Cricket Council’s property, but the big boss is ICC,” Basit said.