"If India doesn’t come, Pakistan will take a big step by not participating in the tournament" - Rashid Latif on 2025 Champions Trophy
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif believes India not traveling to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy could result in the hosts themselves not participating in the tournament. Often referred to as the Mini World Cup, the Champions Trophy is set to be played for the first time since 2017.
However, with the tournament set to begin in around three months and Pakistan as the host nation, reports have swirled around India's unwillingness to travel due to security reasons.
Speaking on Geo News regarding India's possible refusal to play in Pakistan, Latif was quoted by News18 as saying:
"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, Pakistan will take a big step by not participating in the tournament."
He added:
"ICC is existing only because there is Pakistan and India. If the government of Pakistan also says that we won’t play, then the ICC will be of no use as no one will watch the match."
India last played in Pakistan in the 2008 Asia Cup, losing in the final to Sri Lanka. Their last full tour of Pakistan was in 2005/06, with the side losing the Test series 0-1 and winning the ODI series 4-1.
"If a team denies to participate, they need to have a solid reason to justify their call" - Rashid Latif
Rashid Latif reaffirmed that India must travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, considering it is an ICC event. The former wicket-keeper pointed out that security cannot be used as justification since several other teams have toured Pakistan recently.
"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. If a team denies to participate, they need to have a solid reason to justify their call," said Latif in the aforementioned interview.
He added:
"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."
The last time a multi-national tournament was scheduled to be played in Pakistan - the 2023 Asia Cup, a hybrid model was used. India played its matches in Sri Lanka and won the event by defeating the Lankans in a one-sided final.