 |
|
The ongoing tension between India and Pakistan in cricket has sparked strong reactions, and former Pakistani wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif has voiced his discontent regarding the situation. Latif's stance is clear: if he had the authority, he would prevent Pakistan from playing against India in any tournament, citing the ongoing security concerns raised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Latif's frustration stems from the BCCI's refusal to send its team to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy, leading to speculation that the tournament might be moved from Pakistan. Latif believes that the BCCI's stance on security concerns is unfounded and that the ICC's security team has deemed Pakistan safe for the tournament. He firmly states that the BCCI's reluctance is “very weak” and should be put in writing if they feel threatened.
Latif's proposed solution is a bold one: he believes that the ICC should withhold hosting rights for both India and Pakistan until their bilateral issues are resolved. He points to instances where the ICC imposed bans on Sri Lanka in 2023 and Zimbabwe in 2019 due to political interference in cricket administration, questioning the ICC's seeming leniency towards India and Pakistan. He believes that the ICC's reliance on revenue from India and Pakistan might be influencing their decisions.
Latif's comments have reignited the debate on the political and diplomatic issues that often overshadow the sport of cricket between India and Pakistan. His proposal to boycott matches against India and the call for the ICC to withhold hosting rights from both countries is a strong statement that highlights the deep-seated tensions that exist between the two nations.
The situation remains complex and unresolved. The future of the Champions Trophy and the broader relationship between India and Pakistan in cricket remains uncertain. Latif's strong stance, however, underscores the escalating tensions and the need for a diplomatic solution to ensure the future of cricketing ties between these two nations.
Source: 'Had I been in power...': Rashid Latif furious over India's stand for Champions Trophy