New Delhi: After the ICC approved the hybrid model for India-Pakistan matches in the Champions Trophy 2025, former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria feels it is a win-win situation for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) while the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been given the "lollipop" of hosting the Women's T20 World Cup in 2028.

The ICC Executive Board announced last week that matches between India and Pakistan hosted by either country in ICC events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue. Also, the PCB has been given the rights to host the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in 2028, where the neutral venue arrangement will also apply. Later, Dubai was confirmed as the venue for the India-Pak matches of the Champions Trophy, which Pakistan will host from February 19 to March 9. The India-Pakistan encounter is scheduled to take place at the Dubai International Stadium on February 23. If India qualifies for the final, the summit clash will also be held in Dubai.

ICC handed a lollipop to Pakistan

Kaneria told IANS, "The BCCI has found itself in a no-win situation. Here in Pakistan, I am hearing people saying 'we fought and won', but they are illiterate. They have been handed the 'lollipop' of the Women's World Cup. From the beginning, I felt that the hybrid model would be the only solution, because in this situation, there is no other option."

Pakistan will not go to India, only time will tell

Due to strained political relations, India and Pakistan compete only in international events like the World Cup and Asia Cup. The two countries last faced each other in international cricket during the Men's T20 World Cup in June this year. Kaneria said, 'Pakistan has said that they will not go to India to play, but only time will tell. The country is facing a volatile situation at the moment. What if something happens to the other teams? The entire tournament may shift to Dubai. Everyone has family concerns and we should respect that. Given the current situation, hopefully the tournament will run smoothly under the hybrid model.'

"Interestingly, if both India and Pakistan reach the final, it should be played in Dubai, right? This will raise another issue: if you can play the final in Dubai, what is the problem in playing the game in India? Given the circumstances, they need to ensure that the situation in Pakistan remains stable. Teams are coming here and playing matches.''

Everyone is concerned about safety

He said it should not happen that other teams raise questions and the entire tournament is held in Dubai. Citing the 2009 incident when gunmen opened fire on a bus carrying Sri Lankan cricketers near Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, Kaneria urged that every effort should be made to conduct the Champions Trophy smoothly. The former spinner said, "Everyone is concerned about security. Whenever a team comes to Pakistan for an international match, they are provided with presidential level security. This is necessary because in the past there was an incident which caused a lot of damage to Pakistan cricket and its players. International cricket in Pakistan had stopped. You have to think according to the demand of the situation, not act arrogantly. If you do well, people will speak well about you.

10 times more spectators gather for India-Pakistan match in Pakistan

The 44-year-old former cricketer said that if India played in Pakistan in the Champions Trophy, the India-Pakistan match would have "ten times more spectators" than matches between other teams. The entire stadium and even the streets would be packed with people. "Because people are fans of Rohit (Sharma), Virat (Kohli) and (Jasprit) Bumrah. The young generation is emulating these players," Kaneria said. He further said that successful hosting of the Champions Trophy will give a boost to Pakistan cricket, but stressed that there is still a long way to go. He said, "International cricket has already revived in Pakistan. Now Pakistan should focus on the Champions Trophy instead of focusing on other matters. If this tournament is successful, it will be very beneficial for Pakistan cricket and the youth. It will give a further boost to Pakistan cricket, but there is still a long way to go."