No deal yet for Champions Trophy format

 The saga of next year's cricket Champions Trophy drags on, with sources saying Wednesday that no agreement has been reached on a proposed "hybrid" format allowing India to play their matches outside host nation Pakistan.

                                                           

The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought three wars since being carved out of the subcontinent's partition in 1947 and that rivalry is often reflected on the cricket field.

The eight-team tournament hit a snag last month when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) told the International Cricket Council (ICC) that their side would not compete in Pakistan over security fears and political tensions.

                                                               

Sources speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP the PCB has agreed to the hybrid model -- but only on condition that every ICC tournament taking place in India until 2027 follows the same format, with Pakistan not going to India.

Under the hybrid model, Pakistan will host the group matches but its high-profile clash with India will be played in Dubai.

The final would be held in Dubai or Lahore depending on whether the Indian side make it through.

 

But the BCCI is objecting to the tit-for-tat condition on its own hosting and to the proposal to play the final in Lahore if India do not qualify, the sources said.