"Please take it to India" - Basit Ali on 2025 Champions Trophy conundrum
Former Pakistani batter Basit Ali recently commented on reports suggesting that the 2025 Champions Trophy could be shifted to India. Pakistan have the hosting rights for the multi-nation event but India's refusal to tour their neighboring country has put the ICC tournament in jeopardy.
Basit challenged the ICC to conduct the 2025 Champions Trophy in India instead of Pakistan. Claiming that broadcasters will face dire consequences because of the move, the cricketer-turned-expert said in a video shared on his YouTube channel (from 2:32):
"People have started to say that the Champions Trophy could be shifted to India. Please take it to India, I am telling you to do that. No Pakistani will say anything. Just take it to India and see what happens. The broadcaster will be in deep trouble."
Basit also took a dig at the ICC, opining that the apex council lacks the courage to announce the fixtures for the 2025 Champions Trophy, adding (from 3:48):
"The ICC has sent the Champions Trophy to Pakistan because we are the defending champions. If you have the courage, first announce the draws. If you have the courage, announce which team will play at which venue. ICC doesn't have that courage. They are just requesting that BCCI and PCB. The International Cricket Council is just for the name, their work is zero."
It is worth mentioning that the BCCI has confirmed that India won't tour Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. It remains to be seen if a hybrid model will be introduced for the competition or if the ICC can find a middle ground.
"Take away the hosting rights, if these two teams don't want to play in each other's country" - Rashid Latif on 2025 Champions Trophy hosting drama
Former Pakistani wicketkeeper Rashid Latif believes that the ICC should take away the hosting rights for major tournaments from India and Pakistan if the two countries fail to resolve their issues.
He reckoned that the ICC needs to ask the two boards to improve their relations if they want to host global tournaments in the future. Speaking to 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."
The 2025 Champions Trophy is scheduled to be conducted next year in February and March. The tournament will be played in an ODI format, featuring the top eight teams of 50-over cricket.