It is not exactly a very big day tomorrow. There have been more important days, but dare I say that this day would hold answers to several unasked questions. International Cricket Council (ICC) will meet its board of directors virtually to decide how the BCCI will be granted their wish. So far, there are three propositions for Pakistan to choose from, but each has its own way of harming the country and ICC’s credibility as an organization (if that matters anymore).
The first, obviously, is one final attempt to bring the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) around for the hybrid model option. You get some, we get plenty, shake hands, and call it a day. But PCB’s chief has straight out refused in the past (and many times at that) to accept any such half-baked plan. Though his recent press conference showed a less vehement Mohsin Naqvi, trying to dodge being clear with his answers. He said he will do what’s best for Pakistan. But really, what is best for Pakistan? In all fairness, no one knows that. If Pakistan do accept the hybrid model, will it bring any guarantee that such an impasse will not face them before every event?
There is another suggestion as well, though. Shift the entire tournament out of Pakistan but be kind enough to let them remain the hosts. And oh, the preparation for this shift as well as the particulars of an alternate venue are not decided, since we were busy hoping for one of both countries to make the first stride. Going with this option would mean it would only gather a chuckle in unison, the next time Pakistan raise the paddle to bid for hosting rights.
But nothing quite beats the last option. Play the entire tournament without India. In a fair world, this would be the only right option. But by the looks of it, the fair world in question does not have broadcasters breathing down the ICC’s neck. No India in an ICC event clearly means one thing and that’s exactly what you are thinking. This is the option that seems to have been added just for the sake of it. Ten points for anyone who can point out one party who benefits here.
In case the stalemate persists past all these options, all members will get to vote to make the final call. In a way that would help the ICC shrug the blame off their shoulders and carry on with their diplomatic role happily until next time.
If Pakistan remain true to their stance, they would not forget mentioning boycotting any further meetings with India in any multi-national event in case any of the above option gets taken up. What needs to be remembered is that this conundrum has a tendency to persist or even get worse, should an all-sides-happy solution is not reached once and for all. ICC also have a race against time to win. The tournament is less than a hundred days away. The laughing stock is only skyrocketing with each passing day. The global body already has a committee looking into what went wrong with the last event they arranged. They can not afford another to scamper that way too. True, it is not a night before a very big day, but its definitely the night that must have kept the King awake.
