Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has given a bold recommendation amid the escalating dispute between Pakistan and India over hosting the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Rashid Latif has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to strip both countries of their hosting rights for all global events in the upcoming cycle if they fail to resolve their long-standing differences.
Rashid Latif expressed his disappointment over the current impasse while speaking to a private news channel and said, “My suggestion is that the ICC should strip India and Pakistan of all global event hosting rights for the 2024-2025 cycle. The ICC should ask these boards first to resolve all the issues and then give them hosting rights.”
Stressing the need for a strong approach, Rashid Latif further explained, “Pakistan is going to host two ICC events, and India will have four or five events in this period. If these two teams do not want to play in each other’s countries, then take away the hosting rights until they sort out their differences.”
The standoff is centred on India’s refusal to play in Pakistan, citing security concerns. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected a proposed hybrid model under which India would play its matches at a neutral venue and has insisted on hosting the tournament entirely in Pakistan.
The PCB has formally sought clarification from the ICC, challenging the BCCI’s stand and demanding that the pre-agreed hosting conditions be adhered to.
Rashid Latif dismissed the hybrid model as unworkable, saying, “PCB is only hosting the event as per the ICC agreement. There is nothing concrete about the hybrid model. Everything has to be as per ICC rules. It is not about bilateral series or ACC tournaments.”
The cricket rivalry between Pakistan and India has been limited to ICC events and the Asia Cup since the bilateral series between the two countries ended in 2012-13. Despite strained relations, Pakistan has honoured ICC commitments by touring India for the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup.
The situation has put the ICC in an uncertain position, with broadcasters pressing for clarity due to the financial implications of the tournament not happening. The absence of a clash between Pakistan and India could have commercial repercussions.
With less than three months left until the Champions Trophy begins, the cricketing world is watching closely as the fate of the tournament and cricket diplomacy hang in the balance.