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AFP

The Pakistan Cricket Board wants the BCCI to provide written proof of the Indian government’s denial of permission in case the team refuses to come here for next year’s Champions Trophy citing a travel ban on security grounds, a PCB source has said.

The host Board also wants the matter to be sorted as soon as possible, given that the tournament is scheduled in February-March.

While the ICC annual conference will be held in Colombo on July 19 doesn’t have any discussion on ‘Hybrid Model’ about India playing their games in the UAE on its agenda, the global body as usual has earmarked additional fund in case it becomes a two-country tournament.

“If the India government declines permission, it has to be in writing and it is mandatory on the BCCI to provide that letter to the ICC now,” the PCB source working closely with organizing committee told PTI.

“It is a fact that the we are insistent that the BCCI must inform the ICC about its travel plans to Pakistan at least 5-6 months before the tournament and in writing,” the top PCB source also stated.

The BCCI has always steadfastly maintained that playing cricket in Pakistan is completely a government call and even the 2023 ODI Asia Cup, which was hosted by PCB witnessed India playing all its games in Sri Lanka based on ‘Hybrid Model’.

The PCB has already submitted its draft schedule to ICC where all of India’s games including a possible semi-final and final has been scheduled in Lahore. The India vs Pakistan marquee match has been scheduled on March 1.

The tournament will start in Karachi on February 19 and conclude with the final in Lahore on March 9. The final will have a reserve day — March 10 — in case of inclement weather. A few matches will be held in Rawalpindi too.

If BCCI sources are to be believed, at this point there is no chance of travelling to Pakistan and knowing fully well, the ICC has allocated additional budget for any exigency plan.

“The ICC Management is recommending additional costs just in case it is necessary to play some matches outside Pakistan if such a situation arises later on,” the source confirmed.

Australian selector George Bailey. File
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Australian national selector George Bailey has said that the national team plans to move on from the recently-retired David Warner despite the southpaw’s desire to be considered for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year.

The 37-year-old Warner retired from international cricket following the T20 World Cup in the Americas last month, where the Aussies failed to progress beyond the Super 8 stage.

However, he had insisted that he will keep the door open for a return for the Champions Trophy, a One-Day International format ICC event.

“Our understanding is that David is retired, and [he] should be commended on what has been an incredible career across all three formats. Certainly, our planning is that he won’t be there in Pakistan,” Bailey was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

Warner had a decent run during the T20 World Cup, finishing as the side’s second-highest run-scorer, after Travis Head.

On his remarks on making a comeback during the Champions Trophy, Bailey said that Warner might be “stirring the pot”, with the team planning “to transition to some different players”.

“You never know when Bull’s joking…think he’s just stirring the pot a bit. He’s had a wonderful career, can’t celebrate it enough, and think as time goes by, his legacy of what he has done for Australia and we reflect back on that, the legend of a player is only going to continue to grow,” added Bailey.

“But, as far as this team goes and the journey to transition to some different players, in his case across all three formats, it’s going to be exciting.” The Australians will have a young squad during their upcoming tour of the United Kingdom, which includes limited-overs meetings against Scotland and England.

With the likes of Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell missing out, Bailey said the Kangaroos might see a more youthful squad going forward, with an eye on the next T20 World Cup in 2026.

“I don’t think there’s anyone who’s not there that we’ve put a line through permanently besides David (Warner). This is the way we are going with this squad,” he continued.

“The next T20 World Cup is 2026, so I imagine there may be some more changes than what we are seeing in this squad. But specifically, to those guys (Starc and Maxwell), no we haven’t had any conversations about where they think their T20 journey may finish.

Former Australian opener David Warner in action during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup. Warner, in his instagram post, said “I am also open to playing for Australia in the Champions trophy if selected.”
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David Warner has declared his international career a “closed chapter” but at the same time, the Australian batting great won’t mind padding up in the Champions Trophy next year should he be selected, something that has been described as an “emergency option” by his ODI captain Pat Cummins.

Warner retired from ODIs after Australia’s World Cup-winning run in November last year, while his last Test was against Pakistan in January. His final T20I came against India on June 24 at the shortest format’s recently-concluded global showpiece .

“Chapter closed!! It’s been an unbelievable experience to play at the highest level for such a long period. Australia was my team. The majority of my career was at the international level. It’s been an honour to be able to do this. 100+ games in all formats is my highlight,” Warner wrote in an Instagram post on Monday.

“I will continue to play franchise cricket for a while, and I am also open to playing for Australia in the Champions trophy if selected,” he added.

This is not the first time that Warner has shown interest in playing the 50-over tournament. Even while announcing his ODI and Test retirement in January, he had said he’d be open to playing the Champions Trophy, which is set to return after an eight-year hiatus in Pakistan next year.

Back in January when Pat Cummins was asked about Warner’s return for the Champions Trophy, Cummins had said “I think it’s probably time to give some others a crack [in ODIs], but knowing that he’s going to still be playing cricket.” “So it might be more of a kind of break glass in an emergency option. But, you know, David is going to be scoring runs somewhere in the world. So you never quite know that this is (the end).” Reflecting on his illustrious career, Warner, who retired as Australia’s highest scorer and seventh-most prolific batter in the world in T20 format with 3,277 runs from 110 matches at an average of 33.43 and strike rate of 142.47, thanked his family, fans and teammates.

“For all the cricket fans out there, I truly hope I have entertained you and changed cricket, especially tests, in a way where we scored a bit faster than others. We cannot do what we love without the fans, so thanks.

“I want to say thanks to everyone out there who has made this possible. My wife and my girls, who sacrificed so much, thank you for all your support. No person will ever know what we’ve been through.

From 112 Tests, he has scored 8,786 runs at an average of 44.59 with 26 hundreds and 37 fifties between 2011 and 2024.

He also scored 6,932 runs from 161 ODI matches at an average of 45.30 with the help of 22 centuries and 33 half centuries.

“To the players and staff, thanks for putting up with me. No more what’s app junk, your ears are now going to be free of my voice. This team has had unbelievable success the Last few years and long may this continue. Pat cummins, Andrew old Mac and staff have got this,” he added.