Former Pakistan cricket team captain Rashid Latif made a mammoth statement regarding the Champions Trophy 2025, saying that the tournament should not happen anymore. During a recent event, Latif said that Pakistan should say no to the competition before BCCI takes any further step. He went on to say that such a step by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will send a big message to the cricketing community. The tournament was supposed to take place in Pakistan but the situation has become complicated after India refused to travel for their matches citing security concerns. While the ICC has suggested a ‘hybrid’ solution that will see India play their matches in Dubai, nothing concrete has been announced yet.

“Champions Trophy shouldn’t happen anymore. You should say no before they refuse,” Latif said.

“We have always been made scapegoats, be it Afghan war or cricket. PCB, ACB, and ICC are the same as they can’t fight against the BCCI. They have the chance to push Pakistan to the front. We have joined hands and are fighting against it, but the only fear is that if India boycotts, where do we stand.” 

Rashid Latif said “Pakistan should boycott the Champions Trophy now. Before BCCI takes this step, PCB should take it. Champions Trophy shouldn’t happen anymore” 

pic.twitter.com/xZZGo1X3xX

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) December 10, 2024

Amid the ongoing impasse on Pakistan’s hosting of the Champions Trophy 2025, the decision on the next year’s marquee event is likely to be announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday, sources told IANS on Monday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which holds the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy, has reportedly demanded a written assurance from the international body on the hybrid model for future ICC tournaments after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) communicated to ICC that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan abiding by the Government of India’s policy.

Amid the stand-off, PCB has agreed to accept the hybrid model for the Champions Trophy with India playing its matches in Dubai while the rest of the tournament will be staged in Pakistan. India will also play the semifinal and final matches in Dubai, subject to qualification.

“Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wants a written assurance from the World body (ICC) regarding a hybrid model for the future international events to be hosted by India. Decision on Champions Trophy most likely by Wednesday,” sources told IANS

(With IANS inputs)

India’s defeat in the pink-ball Test against Australia hasn’t sent shockwaves across the cricketing spectrum, but certain changes have been prescribed to Rohit Sharma and his team. India made three changes in the playing XI for the day-night Test, with Shubman Gill, Ravichandran Ashwin and the skipper coming in. Rohit, however, batted at the No. 6 spot, allowing KL Rahul to continue at the top after his prolific show in the Perth Test. However, Indian cricket great Sunil Gavaskar has urged Rohit to change that in the third Test.

Gavaskar, reflecting on India’s defeat in the Adelaide Test, has urged Rohit to return to his opening spot, alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, in Brisbane, sending Rahul to bat at the No. 5 or No. 6 spot.

“He should return to his regular spot. We should remember why Rahul had opened. He did that because Rohit Sharma was not available for the first Test,” said Gavaskar on Sports Tak.

“Now I can understand why they kept him as an opener in the second Test, he had a 200-plus partnership with Jaiswal. But now that he couldn’t score this Test, I feel Rahul should go back to No. 5 or No.6 and Rohit Sharma should open. If Rohit scores quickly in the beginning, then he can score a big century also later,” he added.

Rohit, speaking to reporters in the post-match press conference, admitted that the batting unit crumbled against the pink-ball challenge. But, from the next match onwards, the team needs to take its chances.

“A disappointing week for us, we didn’t play well, and Australia played better cricket than us and won the Test match. We failed to grab our opportunities. We didn’t bat well enough, probably 30-40 runs short with the bat in the first innings. There were opportunities when Australia were batting and we failed to take those chances. When you miss those chances, it’s never easy,” Rohit had said in the press conference.

File photo of Rahul Dravid© AFP