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‘India Will Come To Pakistan…’ Rashid On Champions Trophy Hosting Dilemma

Aakash Saini

Babar Azam and Rohit Sharma [Source: @_FaridKhan/x]Babar Azam and Rohit Sharma [Source: @_FaridKhan/x]

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif is of the opinion that the International Cricket Council (ICC) should snatch away all the hosting rights from India and Pakistan for the 2024-31 cycle. Latif’s remarks came at a time when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are once again finding themselves at a crossroads ahead of a multi-nation event.

The BCCI and the Indian government have expressed their reluctance in sending the Indian team to Pakistan for next year’s 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, and have reportedly presented ideas of a hybrid model to the ICC. However, the PCB have remained adamant in its stance of being the sole hosts of the tournament, unlike the compromised effort they made for the 2023 Asia Cup last year.

Rashid Latif urges India, Pakistan to resolve issues

During an interview with the Hindustan Times, Rashid Latif claimed that the ICC should snatch away all hosting rights from India and Pakistan for the next eight years until the two nations come to an agreement and resolve their cricketing issues. He said:

“My suggestion is that ICC should take away the hosting rights of all global events from India and Pakistan for the cycle of 2024-2031. ICC should tell these boards to first resolve all the issues and then we will give you the hosting rights. I think Pakistan are slated to host two ICC events, India are also slated to host four-five events in this time period. Take away the hosting rights, if these two teams don't want to play in each other's country, then I am just giving a suggestion that the hosting rights should be taken away by the ICC.”

Latif also criticized the BCCI for its repeated refusal of sending the Indian team to Pakistan citing ‘security concerns’. He added that all competing nations have signed an ICC agreement and the tournament will indeed happen in Pakistan. Moreover, he even expressed his confidence that Team India will put aside its differences and travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

“How are there security concerns? The ICC delegation visits the country which is supposed to host a global event. No such thing has happened so far, so how come India have refused citing security concerns? All the participants sign the ICC agreement for the eight-year cycle, both India and Pakistan have signed it earlier. The tournament will happen in Pakistan. ICC is yet to give its decision. In my opinion, India will come to Pakistan. I am very confident about it.”

Rashid Latif further stated that Pakistan have abided by the ICC rules by travelling to India for the 2016 T20 World Cup and for the 2023 ODI World Cup, thus indicating that it is India’s turn to return the favour. He said:

“Pakistan have abided by the ICC document in the past. They toured India for the 2016 T20 World Cup and 2023 ODI World Cup. I am just talking legally, I am not going by emotions.”

It is worth noting that no Indian team has travelled to Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup owing to the worsening geo-political tensions shared by the two countries. Moreover, the BCCI has even barred Pakistani players from participating in the IPL.

The 2025 Champions Trophy is scheduled to be played in February and March next year. It remains to be seen if the concerned boards and the ICC will agree for a possible hybrid model, or will the BCCI finally agree for a tour across the border.