Rashid Latif, the former Pakistan cricket captain, has sparked a significant conversation around the 2025 Champions Trophy, urging Pakistan to consider boycotting the tournament before the BCCI takes any drastic steps.

"Pakistan should boycott the Champions Trophy now. Before the BCCI takes this step, PCB should take it. Champions Trophy shouldn’t happen anymore," Latif said at an event, as quoted by Times of India, emphasising that the time had come for Pakistan to stand firm. He further elaborated on the situation, expressing frustration at the role Pakistan often plays in these political disputes.

"We have always been made scapegoats, be it Afghan war or cricket," he remarked.

Latif's remarks come as confusion remains over the future of 2025 Champions Trophy, with deadlock over the schedule.

Concerns over the hybrid model

The context of this statement revolves around the ongoing dispute regarding the 2025 Champions Trophy. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) previously requested a "hybrid model" for all tournaments held in India, in response to India's call for such an arrangement for the Champions Trophy, citing security concerns related to travel to Pakistan. This proposal, however, faced significant opposition from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which dismissed the hybrid model, claiming there was no security threat within India.

As reported by The Telegraph, the BCCI has firmly informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that India will not endorse the hybrid model, further solidifying the impasse.

In contrast, the PCB has stated that it will refrain from participating in any future tournaments hosted in India unless the security and political issues are adequately resolved. According to BCCI officials, "The BCCI's position is straightforward — there is no security threat in India, and therefore, there is no basis for accepting such a proposal."

Latif expressed concerns, stating, "They have the opportunity to marginalize Pakistan. We are united in our opposition, but our primary worry is the implications of an Indian boycott on our standing."

As the contention over the Champions Trophy persists, the tournament's future remains in jeopardy, with Pakistan's potential withdrawal highlighting the urgent need for fairness and equity in international cricket.

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