'If India doesn't travel, Pakistan will boycott the Champions Trophy,' asserts Rashid Latif

The India vs Pakistan off-the-field tussle has started

Rashid Latif: The India vs Pakistan off the field tussle has started again. This time in the Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan in 2025. According to reports India will not be traveling to Pakistan and a hybrid model of hosting is being worked out. In response to these reports Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi didn’t mince words.

“In recent years Pakistan has extended many good gestures. But we hope we are not expected to do so always,” Naqvi who is also the interior minister told reporters in Lahore, as quoted by Geo News.

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Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif said Pakistan may take the big step of boycotting ICC events if India don’t come to Pakistan this time.

The Champions Trophy will have two groups of four teams each with Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa and defending champions Pakistan.

India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since the 2012-13 Pakistan tour of India due to strained political relations.

Since then the two teams have only faced each other in major ICC white ball events and Asia Cup.

Latif said if India don’t come to Pakistan Pakistan may not participate in ICC events.

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"If it is a bilateral series or Asia Cup, then the teams are asked, whether India wants to play or not. This is an ICC event. The cycle has been signed from 2024-2031. All the broadcasters and sponsors have signed about the teams that will participate in the Champions Trophy or the World Cup," Latif said during the Geo News show.

"If a team denies to participate, they need to have a solid reason to justify their call. Just like in 1996, the West Indies and Australia did not go to Sri Lanka but still reached the final. If you make a reason for security, then it is not a solid reason. Teams like Australia, New Zealand, England, and South Africa are coming to Pakistan. They want to come to Pakistan," he added.

"ICC is existing only because there is Pakistan and India. If the government of Pakistan also says like India that we won't play, then the ICC will be of no use as no one will watch the match," Rashid said.

"We can say that India does not want to play bilateral matches, but you can't deny the ICC events as you already have signed it. India has to make solid ground. If India doesn't come this time, Pakistan will take a big step by not participating in the tournament," he added.

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