Former Pakistan National Cricket Team player Rashid Latif has made a massive statement on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He claimed that the event shouldn’t happen at all now because PCB hasn’t got what they wanted.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been a massive 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 tussle due to the venue related to the tournament.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is likely to be played in the hybrid model
The ICC Champions Trophy, which was originally slated to take place in Pakistan, is likely to be played in the Hybrid model now. This is because the India National Cricket Team have denied travelling to Pakistan for the tournament due to security reasons.
The two boards were involved in a massive tussle as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) didn’t shy away from their stance of hosting the entire ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. The BCCI, on the other hand too, kept saying they won’t travel, and the issue so far hasn’t been resolved.
PCB has kept several demands in front of ICC and BCCI to accept the hybrid model
It made the ICC intervene and explain to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) the challenges of playing the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. They also explained to them how they could not stage the event without India, which is the biggest revenue generator in cricket.
There have been several reports that have claimed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has agreed to play the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in the Hybrid model, but they have kept four demands. The BCCI and ICC haven’t agreed to those, and this is why there is no official confirmation of the schedule.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 shouldn’t happen at all – Rashid Latif
Amid all the fuss, Rashid Latif called for the ICC Champions Trophy to be scrapped completely. He claimed that before BCCI says no, PCB should take the step forward and end the tournament. He said that they have always been made scapegoats, and ICC cannot fight BCCI. Speaking during an event, he said:
“Champions Trophy 2025 shouldn’t happen at all. Before they refuse to play, you should refuse. The development that came last evening was that we have always been made scapegoats. ECB, ACB, and ICC are all the same; they cannot fight BCCI.
“They have got the chance to push Pakistan back. It’s good we are fighting, but the fear is if India boycotts, then where do we stand? This should be taken into consideration before doing anything.”
“Champions Trophy should not happen anymore!” – Ex-captain Rashid Latif. #CT25 pic.twitter.com/XMVO9HsYkB
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) December 9, 2024
The ICC meeting was postponed twice as it was learned that the BCCI has failed to respond to demands by the PCB and hence no statement has been made. The official confirmation related to the tournament is likely to come out soon.