ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan hopes it will get a fair deal on “equality” when the International Cricket Council holds a virtual meeting on Friday to finalize details for next year’s Champions Trophy.
There’s an impasse for the eight-team, 50-over format tournament after India declined to tour Pakistan for the event, scheduled to be held from Feb. 19 to March 9. A decades-long tense political situation between the two south Asian countries hasn’t see India playing international cricket in Pakistan since 2008 when it competed in Asia Cup.
Both nations have competed in ICC tournaments with Pakistan touring India last year for the 50-overs World Cup.
“I promise we’ll do what is best for Pakistan cricket,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said in Lahore. “We’re still clear in our stance that it’s not acceptable that we play cricket in India, and they don’t play cricket here. Whatever will happen, will happen on the basis of equality. We’ve told the ICC very clearly, and what happens next we’ll let you know.”
The ICC board could decide the issue in a vote among members.
“Whatever we do, we will make sure the best outcome for Pakistan is achieved,” Naqvi said. “But I repeat, and I am sure you know what I mean, it’s not possible that Pakistan play in India, and they don’t come here.”
Earlier this month, the ICC told the PCB that the Board of Control for Cricket in India had informed the game’s governing body it will not tour Pakistan for the event. The PCB sent an email, asking the ICC reasons behind India’s refusal.
Naqvi said he’s been in “constant touch” with the ICC chairman Greg Barckley, but didn’t say whether he got the answers from the game’s governing body as to why India was not willing to tour Pakistan.
Naqvi, who is also the interior minister in the Pakistan government, said that whatever decision the ICC makes on Friday, he will go to his government for the final approval.
Pakistan has spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of three stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi — the three venues chosen for the Champions Trophy. Naqvi said he hoped the renovation of three stadiums will be completed well in time to host the event.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
Pakistan's Interior Minister and Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board Mohsin Naqvi talks to media after reviewing the Gaddafi Stadium's up-gradation work in preparation for upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Pakistan's Interior Minister and Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board Mohsin Naqvi talks to media after reviewing the Gaddafi Stadium's up-gradation work in preparation for upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
SEATTLE (AP) — John Gibson made a season-high 42 saves and Alex Killorn scored the tiebreaking goal midway through the second period as the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Seattle Kraken 5-2 on Wednesday night.
Killorn, Cutter Gauthier and Trevor Zegras each had a goal and an assist for the Ducks, who had dropped eight straight against Seattle. They rebounded from a 3-2 loss to the Kraken at home Monday night.
Frank Vatrano and Brett Leason scored in the first period for Anaheim.
Seattle erased the 2-0 deficit on goals from Eeli Tolvanen at 16:34 of the first and Oliver Bjorkstrand at 8:58 of the second. Joey Daccord stopped 28 shots.
Killorn put the Ducks ahead for good with a wrist shot at 10:02 of the second after Mason McTavish got the puck along the boards and Zegras found an open Killorn.
Gauthier made it 4-2 with a power-play goal at 19:23, and Killorn assisted on Zegras' goal at 13:55 of the third.
Ducks: Gibson stopped a short-handed breakaway in the third period and improved to 4-0 this season.
Kraken: Seattle had trouble connecting on passes in the offensive zone.
After the Kraken tied it 2-all, the Ducks won the ensuing faceoff and began dominating possession again until Killorn scored the go-ahead goal 64 seconds later.
Anaheim finished with a 34-21 advantage in hits during a game that got chippy late.
Anaheim returns home for a Friday matinee against the Los Angeles Kings.
Seattle begins a home-and-home against the Sharks on Friday afternoon in San Jose.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL
Seattle Kraken forward Eeli Tolvanen is congratulated by teammates on the bench after scoring a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Anaheim Ducks forward Brett Leason, right, scores a goal on a shot against Seattle Kraken defenseman Joshua Mahura during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Strome, right, defenseman Jackson LaCombe, second from right, forward Frank Vatrano, second from left, and defenseman Olen Zellweger celebrate a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Seattle Kraken, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Anaheim Ducks forward Brett Leason, right, shoots the puck against Seattle Kraken goalie Joey Daccord during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Anaheim Ducks, from left, defenseman Pavel Mintyukov, forward Mason McTavish and forward Alex Killorn celebrate a gold during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Seattle Kraken, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Anaheim Ducks forward Sam Colangelo, left, passes the puck against Seattle Kraken forward Eeli Tolvanen during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Anaheim Ducks forward Brett Leason, center, is congratulated by forward Isac Lundestrom, left, and forward Cutter Gauthier after scoring a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game Seattle Kraken, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Kraken forward Andre Burakovsky takes a shot against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas, left, and Seattle Kraken forward Eeli Tolvanen battle for puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Players from the Seattle Kraken and Anaheim Ducks scuffle during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Seattle. The Ducks won 5-2. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Anaheim Ducks forward Frank Vatrano (77) and forward Andre Burakovsky battle for puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier is congratulated by teammates on the bench after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Seattle Kraken, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Anaheim Ducks, from left, forward Alex Killorn, forward Trevor Zegras, forward Mason McTavish and defenseman Olen Zellweger celebrates during an NHL hockey game against the Seattle Kraken, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Seattle. The Ducks won 5-2. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Kraken forward Jaden Schwartz, left, collides with Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
