Former Pakistani cricketer Rashid Latif put forward his personal view saying that if he had the decision-making authority, he would ensure Pakistan’s dignity always remains high by not playing against India. The 56-year-old wicketkeeper-batter feels that until the political conflicts are solved between the two countries, the ICC (International Cricket Council) shouldn’t provide hosting rights for high-profile tournaments.
Furthermore, Latif speaking about the Asian political conflicts highlights the ICC’s ban on Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe by questioning the global governing body’s leniency towards India and Pakistan.
The discussion arose when the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) wasn’t ready to grant permission to allow their players to travel to Pakistan for the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Meanwhile, there are rumors that the tournament could be either postponed or shifted completely out of the country which could result in Pakistan withdrawing themselves from the tournament.
Previously, the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) demanded the ICC asking for BCCI’s official written confirmation stating the valid reasons for the Indian cricket team’s refusal to visit Pakistan and compete in the tournament. If security has been the prime concern, then Rashid disapproved of BCCI’s approach proving that previously the ICC security team had adjudged the Pakistan team to be secured after a detailed assessment throughout the country.
However, Rashid Latif seems to be confident that Pakistan’s progress in cricket won’t be affected if they don’t compete with India in series or tournaments.
Say NO to India vs Pakistan Matches: Rashid Latif’s Opinion
Rashid Latif expresses his ideas on the measures he could implement to protect Pakistan’s respect in the cricket world by saying:
“Certainly! There are huge chances that the Pakistan cricket team can avoid competing against India at all levels of the sport. I would have taken this huge step if I had the authority. However, I wouldn’t blame anyone for making this decision. I would simply say don’t play against us if you don’t wish to,” Rashid Latif said.
Rashid Latif Questions ICC’s Policies
Latif questions ICC’s unconvincing approaches by suggesting to temporarily ban the hosting rights for India and Australia until the strained relationships between these two countries get resolved:
“See! According to my point of view, ICC should suspend the hosting rights for both these nations (India and Pakistan) until the issues are sorted out.
Moreover, the experienced Pakistani cricketer recalls the ICC’s suspension imposed on Sri Lanka in the previous year November for allegations of political corruption in the country’s sports administration. Although the suspension was revoked back in January 2024, it was a reputation-ruining moment in Sri Lanka’s cricket history. He questions why the ICC hasn’t posed a ban on India or Pakistan yet. Here is what Latif said:
“Not Exactly! I don’t understand why cricket teams like India and Pakistan aren’t getting banned from all sorts of international cricket. Possibly, the ICC has a high stake placed on them,” Latif said.
BCCI’s Security Concerns in Pakistan
Rashid Latif slams BCCI’s judgment about security issues in Pakistan by proving all the statements as illogical:
“Definitely! I would say this is the first time BCCI is to be blamed for the reason they provided is completely unsupportable. We require the reasons to be submitted in written form by the BCCI and the Indian cricket team stating that they are under threat visiting our country.
Most importantly, you need to be aware that previously the ICC security team came to our nation and gave a positive signal to host main tournaments. But, still, if you’re facing issues, you can make a complaint to the ICC,” Rashid Latif added a few more facts.
Pakistan Can Survive in Cricket Without Playing Matches Against India
Finally, Latif gives a confident statement that Pakistan’s reputation stands stronger in the cricket world even if they don’t play against India:
“YES! It has been 12 years since we have played at home, which is a painful fact to accept. Even if Pakistan plays against India or not, they receive $34 million every eight years. You need to know that rich cricketing boards are prone to face more losses than a committee like the PCB that doesn’t have tons of money to make additional investments. Without playing any bilateral series or ICC tournaments, our team (Pakistan) can survive in the cricket world,” Rashid said.
Is Pakistan Withdrawing from ICC Champions Trophy 2025? Overall Opinion
Possibly YES! Earlier, the Pakistani government ordered the PCB to withdraw the national team’s participation from the tournament if the venue is shifted completely to another nation or ICC opts for a Hybrid model. Here is what Rashid Latif answered to the most commonly asked question in recent times:
“Not Sure! I don’t think anyone has read the news on a paper. Previously, we discussed with the PCB that they have emailed the Pakistani government about this issue which is seriously a legal one too. So, none of them are willing to give their statement in writing,” Rashid Latif said.
