‘Everything should be on a reciprocal basis’ - Najam Sethi suggests Pakistan play ODI World Cup matches outside India

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Najam Sethi made a straightforward remark on having a ‘hybrid model’ for the forthcoming ODI World Cup in India. Notably, the two apex cricket boards, PCB and the BCCI have been at the loggerheads over the hosting rights of the upcoming Asia Cup and the 50-over World Cup.

For the uninitiated, the PCB, headed by Najam Sethi, were holding discussions with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) over the possibility of a ‘hybrid model’. BCCI secretary Jay Shah, confirmed that the Indian national team will not travel to the neighbouring country for the forthcoming Asia Cup and their matches will be played at a neutral venue.

On that note, Najam Sethi stated that India must use the hybrid experiment during the 50-over World Cup, wherein Pakistan get to play their matches outside of the host nation.

"We feel this hybrid experiment can also be applied when it is time for the World Cup. Our stance is that everything should be on a reciprocal basis. In the old times, yes, there were security issues in Pakistan. But now there are no issues, so what is India's excuse for not playing in Pakistan?" Sethi said at a press interaction as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

We are not needy and can stand on our own feet financially: Najam Sethi

Notably, Pakistan also have been allotted the hosting rights for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. However, Sethi believes with the current dialogue maintained between the ACC for the Asia Cup, India may consider playing in the 2025 event. He additionally stated that the public does not want PCB to bow down in this regard but want to play with the arch-rivals, ‘honourably’.

"We have been told that, maybe, the ice will keep on melting - if this happens when the Champions Trophy is held in Pakistan in 2025, India would consider playing in Pakistan. We have been advised to play the Asia Cup at a neutral venue and also go to India for the World Cup,” told Sethi.

“But I can say right now that public mood is: we are not needy and we can stand on our own feet financially and we want to play cricket with India honourably. We are also negotiating with the ACC,” he added.