Ex-chief warns PCB against tit-for-tat strategy over India's Champions Trophy stance, claims BCCI won't send team to Pakistan

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Khalid Mahmood believes the chances of India visiting Pakistan for next year's ICC Champions Trophy are very slim.

Pakistan have the hosting rights for the tournament, scheduled to be played in February - March. Although the tournament is just a handful of months away, there is still no confirmation regarding India visiting Pakistan for the competition.

The bilateral relationship between the two cricket boards is currently suspended due to political tension. India have not visited Pakistan since 2008 while the last bilateral series between them took place way back in the 2012-13 season. Since then, they have only played against each other in ICC competitions and the Asia Cup.

And while only time will tell whether India visit Pakistan or not next year, Khalid Mahmood has his fair share of doubts. The former PCB chief also said that if India indeed decide against crossing the border, it could have big financial and operational repercussions for both the PCB and ICC. He also said that India's decision to not visit Pakistan even for an ICC trophy could start a trend where other teams may follow the same path.

"They are very very slim chances they will agree to play in Pakistan," Mahmood was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

"India is the richest cricket board and carries a lot of clout. If they don't send their team to Pakistan I foresee even countries like Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh following their path. This would basically reduce the Champions Trophy into a venture where revenues will take a hit, expenses will grow and profits would fall," he added.

Khalid Mahmood's advice for PCB:

Khalid Mahmood also advised PCB against going for a tit-for-tat strategy against the BCCI, the world's richest cricket body. He said that the PCB should only try to convince the BCCI to send the Indian team to Pakistan and a tit-for-tat strategy would only hurt the Pakistani board. Mahmood also stated that if India do not visit Pakistan, it would reduce the purpose of hosting an ICC trophy for the country.

"Look the thing is at this level you can only lobby and try to convince other boards to be on your side. India has too much clout in the ICC it would do no good for Pakistan to adopt a tit for tat strategy.

"Thing is when the BCCI says it can't send its team and will play its matches outside Pakistan, it does reduce the purpose for Pakistan of hosting an ICC event," said Mahmood.

While the BCCI is yet to announce its final decision on the matter, it has maintained that it will act on the directive of the Indian government. The BCCI has said that it won't be able to send the Indian team to Pakistan if the government does not give permission. Last year when Pakistan were hosting the Asia Cup, India refused to travel to the country.

As a result, the ACC had to come up with a hybrid model. As a result, India played all of their games in Sri Lanka. A similar arrangement could be made for the Champions Trophy as well if India decide against going to Pakistan next year.