It is not just the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that is against the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) proposal for India to play its matches in next year’s ICC Champions Trophy outside Pakistan. According to a former Pakistan cricketer, the tournament’s official broadcaster has rejected the idea of ​​the “hybrid model”, which had been implemented in last year’s Asia Cup, as well as having India and Pakistan in different pools.

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Former Pakistan middle-order batsman Basit Ali, who played 19 Tests and 50 ODIs between 1993 and 1996, also hailed the PCB for “playing their cards the right way” amid their latest opposition to the powerful BCCI.

“What did I tell you about the Champions Trophy… Broadcaster does not agree to (hybrid model or India and Pakistan in different pools and it is not coming. If there is no match between India and Pakistan in a tournament, then it would be like a tasteless dish,” Ali said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.

“PCB have played their cards very well, well done! If you want to go ahead with the hybrid model, do so. But India and Pakistan will not be in the same pool, and Pakistan will play all their matches at home.

“Mohsin Naqvi is sitting quietly now. He has played his cards correctly,” the 53-year-old added.

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The BCCI had refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the tournament which is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9 in Lahore, Karachi and Rawapindi and returns after an eight-year absence.

However, the PCB has remained steadfast in its stand that all matches will take place in Pakistan after agreeing to the BCCI’s demand for the 50-over Asia Cup last year.

The BCCI had refused to send the Men in Blue to Pakistan for the continental event last year, leading to several matches having to be shifted to Sri Lanka.

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However, the Pakistan cricket team led by Babar Azam would travel to India for the ICC World Cup immediately after the Asia Cup, against the Rohit Sharma-led home team in Ahmedabad.

The ICC is currently in a quandary thanks to the dispute between the PCB and the BCCI over the ‘mini World Cup’ and is yet to make a formal announcement about the schedule and venue.