Team India’s participation in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, slated to be held in Pakistan early next year, continues to be a major topic of discussion.
While the cricket boards of both nations have remained tight-lipped on this matter, rumours are rife that the Men in Blue won't be touring Pakistan for the marquee event.
In fact, there are reports claiming the BCCI has communicated to the ICC that it won’t be sending the Indian team across the border as the government has advised against it.
Amid the speculations, former cricketer Rashid Latif has made a big claim by saying that PCB will boycott the ICC event if India refuse to travel to Pakistan.
According to Rashid, India can’t refuse to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy as it is an ICC tournament, involving deals with the broadcasters and sponsors.
“This is an ICC event. The cycle has been signed from 2024-2031. All the broadcasters and sponsors have signed about the teams that will participate in the Champions Trophy or the World Cup," Latif said while speaking on the Geo News show.
“If a team denies to participate, they need to have a solid reason to justify their call. Just like in 1996, the West Indies and Australia did not go to Sri Lanka but still reached the final. If you make a reason for security, then it is not a solid reason. Teams like Australia, New Zealand, England, and South Africa are coming to Pakistan," he added.
The former wicketkeeper further stated that the ICC exists because of India and Pakistan, and if the Pakistani government also refuses to play against India, then the game’s apex body will be of no use.
“ICC is existing only because there is Pakistan and India. If the government of Pakistan also says that we won’t play, then the ICC will be of no use as no one will watch the match," Rashid said.
“We can say that India does not want to play bilateral matches, but you can’t deny the ICC events as you already have signed it. India has to make solid ground. If India doesn’t come, Pakistan will take a big step by not participating in the tournament," he remarked.
The cricketing ties between India and Pakistan have been fraught with political and security issues since the 2008 Mumbai attack.
While the arch-rivals last played a limited-overs series in 2012, their last meeting in Tests was way back in 2007. In this period, they've only clashed in multi-nation tournaments such as the World Cup and the Asia Cup.
Notably, Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year but India played all of their matches in Sri Lanka under a 'hybrid model'.
