"ICC should take away the hosting rights of all global events from India and Pakistan" - Former captain on 2025 Champions Trophy scheduling fiasco
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif feels the ICC should snatch hosting rights from India and Pakistan for the next cycle until their issues are resolved. Latif's remarks come after the BCCI refused to send Team India to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy in February, citing security reasons.
While the hybrid model has been floated around as a possible resolution, Pakistan have rejected the possibility in favor of hosting the entire tournament in the country. They have also reportedly written to the ICC for clarification and resolution on the BCCI's stance.
Speaking on the subject in an interview with The Hindustan Times, Latif said:
"My suggestion is that ICC should take away the hosting rights of all global events from India and Pakistan for the cycle of 2024-2031. ICC should tell these boards to first resolve all the issues and then we will give you the hosting rights."
He added:
"I think Pakistan are slated to host two ICC events, India are also slated to host four-five events in this time period. Take away the hosting rights, if these two teams don't want to play in each other's country, then I am just giving a suggestion that the hosting rights should be taken away by the ICC."
Team India last played the Men in Green during the 2008 Asia Cup and their last full tour of the country was back in 2005-06.
"There is nothing concrete about the hybrid model" - Former Pakistan 'keeper Rashid Latif on 2025 Champions Trophy
Rashid Latif dismissed the possibility of the 2025 Champions Trophy being played in a hybrid model with India playing their matches outside Pakistan.
Recent reports have suggested that either the entire tournament could be played in South Africa or India playing their matches in Dubai.
"PCB is just hosting the event, ICC gave them the hosting rights. The BCCI agreed at that time. There is nothing concrete about the hybrid model. Everything should happen as per the ICC rules, it is a legal document. One should follow it, there is nothing about the hybrid model in the agreement. Don't mix the bilateral series and ACC tournaments with this Champions Trophy. The hosting rights for this tournament were signed under the eight-year cycle agreement," Latif said in the same interview.
He added:
"Pakistan have abided by the ICC document in the past. They toured India for the 2016 T20 World Cup and 2023 ODI World Cup. I am just talking legally, I am not going by emotions. Everyone is talking randomly about the hybrid model and South Africa, and what not. No one is getting into legalities."
The 1992 World Cup winners traveled to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup and the latest meeting between the sides came at the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA.
While the arch-rivals have continued playing each other in ICC events and Asia Cups, the last bilateral series came in 2012-13 when Pakistan toured India for a white-ball affair.