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Ex-PCB Chief Najam Sethi Warns Pakistan Against Champions Trophy Withdrawal

Ex-PCB chairman against Pakistan's stand on Champions Trophy  [Source: @ahtashamriaz22, @ShamiHere_/X.com]Ex-PCB chairman against Pakistan's stand on Champions Trophy  [Source: @ahtashamriaz22, @ShamiHere_/X.com]

Former PCB chairman Najam Sethi advised Pakistan to logically rethink withdrawing from the Champions Trophy 2025 in case of a venue change. Sethi opined that ICC always tends to side with BCCI when it comes to security or political issues and PCB will bear severe financial losses if they opt out of the event.

The Champions Trophy 2025 standoff between India and Pakistan is taking new turns every day. BCCI formally told ICC that team India wouldn't travel to Pakistan due to security concerns. However, PCB firmly rejected the hybrid model idea and wrote to ICC to seek an explanation behind India's move.

Amid this, reports also suggest that Pakistan threatened to withdraw from the tournament if their hosting rights were snatched and denied playing against India in future ICC events. 

Najam Sethi calls for logical thinking from PCB

Meanwhile, former PCB chairman Najam Sethi was talking to Samaa TV when he opined that PCB's protest with ICC is pointless as the apex body always sides with BCCI. Moreover, Sethi added that Pakistan's withdrawal would lead to heavy financial losses that PCB couldn't afford. On the other hand, BCCI, the richest body in cricket, won't mind lesser revenue. 

"ICC always side with India. Remember this. Now, if they move the tournament to Sri Lanka or Dubai, and Pakistan doesn't participate, then it will cost the ICC and also India & Pakistan because ICC revenues are distributed in a portion. Major portion goes to India and the fourth portion goes to Pakistan. It doesn't bother India much. They are very rich," Sethi said.

Najam Sethi also advised PCB to think logically as the Champions Trophy's ripple effects will affect other ICC events, and the PCB certainly cannot sustain on just revenue generated from bilateral series. 

"Will they (PCB) take this issue to a logical end? It means if you have rejected a hybrid model after India refused to come and also rejected playing in another country, then you won't play in future ICC events also. So you are basically going to push yourself out of the ICC. And if you do that, then what will remain besides bilateral cricket? You don't make much money in bilateral cricket because it is reciprocal. So the thing is that then Pakistan will find it difficult."

India emerges potential host for Champions Trophy

Pakistan is hosting the Champions Trophy 2025, but an impasse has been created due to India's refusal to visit the neighbouring country. Now, in the wake of PCB's threat of withdrawal, SportsTak reported that India will be hosting the tournament if Pakistan withdraws. 

Talking on the SportsTak YouTube channel, Gupta said that within BCCI circles, the discussions on moving the tournament have already started. He said that India's cricketing structure and, at least, the humongous fan following would make it a successful tournament even in the absence of Pakistan.