Former Pakistan national cricket team player Rashid Latif made a massive statement regarding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He stated that the event should not be held at all now because PCB does not have what they wanted.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been a big headache for the International Cricket Council (ICC). This is because it has involved the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), as well as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), in a massive fight over the venue related to the tournament.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 likely to be played in hybrid model
The ICC Champions Trophy, which was originally scheduled to be held in Pakistan, is likely to now be played in the hybrid model. This is because the Indian national cricket team has refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament due to security reasons.
The two boards were involved in a massive brawl as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) did not shy away from its stance of hosting the entire ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. The BCCI, on the other hand, also continues to say that they will not travel and the issue has not been resolved so far.
PCB has maintained several demands before ICC and BCCI to accept the hybrid model
He made the ICC intervene and explain to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) the challenges of playing the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan. They also explained to them that they could not organize the event without India, which is cricket’s biggest revenue generator.
There have been several reports claiming that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has agreed to play the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in the hybrid model, but they have maintained four demands. The BCCI and ICC have not agreed on them and that is why there is no official confirmation of the schedule.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 should not happen at all – Rashid Latif
Amidst all the uproar, Rashid Latif called for the ICC Champions Trophy to be scrapped completely. He stated that before the BCCI says no, the PCB should come forward and end the tournament. He said they have always been made scapegoats and the ICC cannot fight the BCCI. Speaking during an event, he said:
“Champions Trophy 2025 should not happen at all. Before they refuse to play, you should refuse. What happened last night was that they have always made us scapegoats. ECB, ACB and ICC are all the same; they cannot fight BCCI .
“They have a chance to push Pakistan back. It is good that we are fighting, but the fear is that if India boycotts, where will we be? This should be taken into consideration before doing anything.”
“The Champions Trophy should not happen anymore!” – Former captain Rashid Latif. #CT25 pic.twitter.com/XMVO9HsYkB
– Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) December 9, 2024
The ICC meeting was postponed twice as it emerged that the BCCI had not responded to the PCB’s demands and therefore no statement had been made. Official confirmation related to the tournament is likely to come out soon.
Also read: Panic in Indian camp! Jasprit Bumrah skips practice ahead of Brisbane Test, sparks fresh injury fears