NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif lately made an enormous assertion relating to the 2025 Champions Trophy, suggesting that Pakistan should think about boycotting the ICC occasion before the Indian cricket board — BCCI — takes any additional step.
Latif believes such a transfer would ship a robust message to the cricketing fraternity about honest play and equality.
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His remarks have added one other layer to the continuing Champions Trophy impasse between the neighboring cricketing giants India and Pakistan.
“Pakistan should boycott the Champions Trophy now. Before the BCCI takes this step, PCB should take it. Champions Trophy shouldn’t happen anymore,” Latif said while speaking at an event.
“We have all the time been made scapegoats, be it Afghan warfare or cricket. PCB, ACB and ICC are the identical as they can not struggle in opposition to the BCCI. They have gotten the possibility to push Pakistan on the entrance. We have joined fingers and are combating in opposition to it, however the one concern is that if India boycotts, the place will we stand,” Latif further remarked.
Earlier, the BCCI firmly rejected PCB’s conditional acceptance of a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy scheduled for February-March 2025, as reported in ‘The Telegraph’.
This development has created a new stalemate in the organization of the prestigious tournament.
PCB had recently accepted a compromise solution of hosting the tournament in a hybrid format, following a prolonged stalemate. This arrangement would have permitted India to compete at a neutral venue, given their unwillingness to visit Pakistan citing security concerns.
However, PCB’s stipulation to the ICC that Pakistan would similarly decline to participate in future BCCI-hosted tournaments in India has sparked fresh tensions between the cricket boards.
According to reports from The Telegraph, the BCCI has firmly communicated its stance to ICC officials, resulting in a new deadlock.
“The BCCI’s competition is straightforward — there isn’t a safety risk in India and therefore no query of accepting such an association,” the report stated.
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India would be the venue for the Women’s ODI World Cup within the coming 12 months, while additionally co-internet hosting the T20 World Cup in 2026 with Sri Lanka. Additionally, the nation will host each the 2029 Champions Trophy and the 2031 ODI World Cup.
The ICC board convened nearly final Friday, however the session lasted merely quarter-hour as PCB initially declined the hybrid mannequin. They subsequently accepted the proposal, fearing potential match relocation, however stipulated they might not take part in matches held in India going ahead.