"If Pakistan refuse to play in ICC Champions Trophy 2025, ICC will be of no use": Ex-Captain gives massive warning – Crictoday

Crictoday
Lifeline of Cricket

India are one of the favourites for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The Men in Blue won the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America and want to continue their winning run in the ICC tournaments. Pakistan is the host nation of the upcoming event but India will not travel to the neighbouring country due to security reasons.
There have also been reports that the BCCI has urged the ICC and PCB to organize their team’s matches in Dubai. Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has issued a huge warning to India if they don’t play in the country.
In his interaction with Geo News, Rashid Latif reminded India that the Champions Trophy is an ICC event and it was announced long back. The broadcaster have already invested in the tournament and India will have to give a solid justification for not coming to Pakistan. He feels security concern is a not a valid reason.
“This is an ICC tornament and it was announced long back. The broadcaster and sponsors have signed the teams that will compete in the Champions Trophy 2025 or the World Cups,” he said.
“A team saying no to participation should have a solid reason to back their stance. Australia didn’t visit Sri Lanka in the 1996 World Cup but still played in the final. Security is not a strong and valid reason as Australia, New Zealand, England and South Africa are coming to Pakistan,” he added.
Rashid Latif further said that ICC is alive because of India and Pakistan and if Pakistan government doesn’t allow their team to participate, ICC will be of no use. He warned India that Pakistan can also say no to the Champions Trophy.
“ICC is there because of Pakistan and India. If the government of Pakistan doesn’t allow our team to play, the ICC will be of no use and no one will watch the event.
“India can’t deny to play in the ICC tournaments. They have already signed the documents. India can pick and choose the bilateral series but not the ICC tournaments. If India doesn’t come, Pakistan can also opt out of the tournament,” he concluded.