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Champions Trophy 2025 in Jeopardy: Rashid Latif Urges Pakistan to Pull Out Amidst India-Pakistan Standoff

December 11, 2024: Former Pakistan cricket captain Rashid Latif has delivered a bombshell statement about the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, claiming the tournament “shouldn’t happen anymore.” Latif, during a recent event, urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to withdraw from hosting the event before the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) makes further moves.

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Latif argued that Pakistan taking such a stand would send a strong message to the global cricketing community. “Champions Trophy shouldn’t happen anymore. You should say no before they refuse,” he stated.

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The tournament, scheduled to take place in Pakistan, has hit a roadblock due to India’s refusal to travel, citing security concerns. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has floated a hybrid model, suggesting that India’s matches be played in Dubai while the rest of the tournament remains in Pakistan. However, no final decision has been made.

Latif emphasised the challenges facing Pakistan cricket, pointing out the dominance of the BCCI in global cricket politics. “We have always been made scapegoats, be it Afghan war or cricket. PCB, ACB, and ICC can’t stand up to the BCCI. This is an opportunity to push Pakistan forward, but the fear is, if India boycotts, where do we stand?”

The ICC is expected to announce its decision on the Champions Trophy by Wednesday, according to reports. Meanwhile, the PCB has demanded written assurances from the ICC on the hybrid hosting model for this and future tournaments.

As of now, the PCB has tentatively agreed to the hybrid model, with India playing its group-stage, semifinal, and final matches in Dubai, should they qualify, while the rest of the tournament unfolds in Pakistan. However, the impasse raises questions about the future of cricket diplomacy and the ability of the ICC to mediate such high-stakes disputes.

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