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According to Rashid, a drastic measure of this sort would send a big message to the cricketing community.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. (Picture Credit: X/@TheRealPCB)
Pakistan ex-skipper Rashid Latif made a huge statement regarding the Champions Trophy 2025. There has been a lot of talk around the ICC event lately. India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan for the tournament has sparked debates amongst many fans and pundits.
Amid the ongoing tussle, Latif has suggested the Champions Trophy should not be conducted now. In a recent event, the retired cricketer opined that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should say no to the competition before the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) can take anyfurther steps.
According to him, a drastic measure of this sort would send a big message to the cricketing community.
“Pakistan should boycott the Champions Trophy now. Before the BCCI takes this step, the PCB should take it. Champions Trophy shouldn’t happen anymore,”Latif said, as per multiple outlets.
In the same interview, Rashid Latif suggested no one could compete against BCCI.“We have alwaysbeen made scapegoats, be it Afghan war or cricket. PCB, ACB and ICC are the same, as they can’t fight against the BCCI. They have the chance to push Pakistan to the front. We have joined hands and are fighting against it, but the only fear is that if India boycotts, where do we stand,”he said.
Rashid Latif also gave a similar stance towards the beginning of this conflict between BCCI and PCB. The Pakistan ex-skipper claimed that since it was an ICC event, BCCI must provide a solid reason to justify their withdrawal from the tournament.
“This is an ICC event. The cycle has been signed from 2024-2031. All the broadcasters and sponsors have signed about the teams that will participate in the Champions Trophy or the World Cup,”he told Geo News.
Speaking further, he added,“We can say that India does not want to play bilateral matches, but youcan’t deny the ICC events as you already have signed it. India has to make solid ground. If India doesn’t come, Pakistan will take a big step by not participating in the tournament.”
Earlier this year, BCCI informed ICC that India would not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy event next year.To solve this conflict, a hybrid model was proposed, allowing India to play their tournament fixtures outside the neighbouring country. It led to the PCB demanding written assurance from the international body on hybrid models for future ICC tournaments. This arrangement will ensure that Pakistan will not be obligated to travel to India when they are hosting an ICC event for a specific period.
