ECB Chief Richard Gould (Photo Source : ECB)
The ongoing debate surrounding India’s participation in the Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan next year in not a unknown thing to fans now. In fact, this has been a widely-discussed topic ever since it was decided by the International Cricket Council that Pakistan would be the host nation of the ninth installment of the marquee event.
CEO of the England & Wales Cricket Board, Richard Gould, addressed the nature of Jay Shah’s past and present roles, and asserted that the key factor which will be taken before coming to a conclusion would be that related to security.
“It would not be in cricket’s interests for India not to be playing in the Champions Trophy. It’s interesting, with Jay Shah – the former secretary of the BCCI and now chair of the ICC – [who] is going to have a big role to play in that. There’s geopolitics, and then there’s cricketing geopolitics. I think they’ll find a way. They have to find a way. There are always security concerns in this part of the world when those two countries play each other. That will probably drive the key decisions. But, I know relationships between the two countries are as amicable as they can be at the moment: we saw it play out at the [men’s T20] World Cup in New York,” stated Gould, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Gould went onto further assert that in the case of India taking a call of not travelling to Pakistan, there will be fallback options which will come into the picture. However, he also highlighted the enormity of the event for Pakistan, which will be the first time nation will host after co-hosting the 1996 World Cup.
“If you play the Champions Trophy without India or Pakistan, the broadcast rights aren’t there, and we need to protect them. They [Pakistan] are the host nation. We’ve seen the developments going on, and we’re all waiting to understand whether India are going to travel. That’s the key. We think there are some discussions and relationships where they need to be. I know Pakistan are expecting India to travel. There are lots of different alternatives and contingencies available if that doesn’t happen. There are a variety of different options available if those circumstances come along. When was the last time Pakistan hosted any kind of ICC trophy? This is a big moment for the country, and hopefully we can have the fullest possible competition in Pakistan,” noted Gould.
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These things tend to go to the wire: Thompson
Chairperson of the ECB, Richard Thompson, however, felt that a decision will come to fruition in the buildup to the Champions Trophy.
“That’s between India and Pakistan, and I think they will find a way where India will participate in the Champions Trophy. These things tend to go to the wire, as history has shown us, so I think that in those [last] six months, they’ll find a way,” added Thompson.
Gould and Thompson are currently in Pakistan for the imminent meetings of the ICC in Dubai, and have been in conversation with the officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board in Multan during England’s second Test of the ongoing series.