New Delhi: Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to boycott the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 amid a deadlock over the final venue of the tournament. BCCI and PCB have been involved in a long-standing stand-off over the tournament after the Indian cricket board refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the competition.
BCCI have asked for India’s matches to be played at a neutral venue in the tournament. Being the official host of the Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan were initially reluctant to accept a hybrid model but gave in after pressure from the International Cricket Council (ICC) amid BCCI’s strict stance on not travelling to the country citing security reasons.
However, Pakistan have reportedly set a condition that all ICC events hosted by India till 2027 will follow similar hybrid models with the Men in Green playing their matches at a neutral venue. Amid the stand-off between BCCI and PCB, the ICC is yet to confirm the final venues and the official schedule of the premier tournament.
Speaking about the ongoing tussle between BCCI and PCB, Latif urged the Pakistan Cricket Board to ‘boycott’ the Champions Trophy before BCCI does the same. Latif believes Pakistan pulling out of the tournament will ensure they are not made scapegoats again. The former Pakistan skipper believes PCB will be left in a spot of bother if BCCI decide to boycott the Champions Trophy and not send the Indian team for the tournament.
“Pakistan should boycott the Champions Trophy now. Before the BCCI takes this step, the PCB should take it. Champions Trophy shouldn’t happen anymore,” Latif said while speaking at an event in Pakistan.
“We have always been made scapegoats, be it Afghan war or cricket. PCB, ACB and ICC are the same as they can’t fight against the BCCI. They have got the chance to push Pakistan at the front. We have joined hands and are fighting against it, but the only fear is that if India boycotts, where do we stand,” he added.
Why have India refused to play Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan?
BCCI has refused to the send the Indian team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025, citing security reasons and lack of clearance from the government. India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket against each other since 2013 due to the political tensions between the two countries. Asia Cup 2023 was also held in a hybrid model last year after India refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.
India played all their matches, including the final of the Asia Cup 2023 in Sri Lanka. It is understood that UAE can host India’s matches in the Champions Trophy 2025 if the tournament is indeed conducted in a hybrid model. A decision on the future of the premier tournament is expected to be taken soon by the ICC.
Former Pakistan skipper Rashid Latif has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to boycott Champions Trophy 2025 as deadlock continues over the future of the tournament. Latif believes BCCI too might boycott the tournament. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
