Former Wk-batter Rashid Latif has suggested that ICC should not grant the hosting rights of any global events to both countries until they resolve their issues.
This comes after India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan while the latter has ruled out the option of playing matches outside the country.
However, the ICC wants Pakistan to agree to hybrid model, allowing India to play their matches in UAE. However, the Pakistan government has instructed the cricket board not to accept any changes to the tournament’s format.
With India’s participation still unclear, India sticks with their stance of not travelling to Pakistan.
Rashid Latif said that ICC should take away India and Pakistan’s hosting rights of the ICC tournament until 2031. He said that till the issues are resolved between the two nations, they shouldn’t be allowed to host World Cups and the Champions Trophy.
“Take away the hosting rights of the global events from India and Pakistan until 2031. ICC should tell the BCCI and PCB to resolve their issues before getting a chance to host the global tournament,” said Rashid Latid.
“Pakistan will be hosting two events while India have the right for four tournaments during this period. Take away the rights of these events if they don’t want to visit each other’s country,” he added.
He questioned India’s refusal due to security reasons. “How they can say that security is not upto the mark? The team of ICC officials has visited Pakistan and was satisfied with all the arrangments including security. It is a legal matter and the it won’t be resolved easily,” he mentioned.
However, Rashid Latif is still confident about India’s visit to Pakistan. “I am confident that India will play the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.”
The Pakistan Cricket Board has written to the international cricket council (ICC) asking for a written confirmation from the BCCI for India’s inability to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.
“There’s a big possibility that Pakistan can stop playing cricket against India. Had I been in power, then, yes, I may have taken this strong step. I would not blame anyone for this. If you don’t want to play (in Pakistan), then don’t play against us (at all),” said Latif.
“If I would have been there, I would have taken this decision, and fought against the BCCI.”
Meanwhile, ICC has released the promo for the event confirming Pakistan as the hosts. The schedule for the marquee event is yet to be out. It is expected to be released soon. It would be interesting to see if India travel to Pakistan for the mega event or not.
