Champions Trophy 2025: Rashid Latif urges Pakistan to boycott tournament 'before BCCI takes this step'

Rashid Latif, the former Pakistan captain, has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to boycott the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy before the BCCI takes a similar step. The fate of the 2025 Champions Trophy, to be hosted by Pakistan, is hanging by a thread following India's refusal to travel to the country due to security concerns . Pakistan, who were initially reluctant on accepting a hybrid model for the tournament, have reportedly agreed to holding it but on certain conditions.

‘Pakistan should boycott Champions Trophy’: Rashid Latif

However, there has been no official announcement regarding next year's Champions Trophy yet . “Pakistan should boycott the Champions Trophy now. Before the BCCI takes this step, PCB should take it. Champions Trophy shouldn’t happen anymore,” Latif said while speaking at an event, as per Times of India.

“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,” added Latif.

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BCCI rejects PCB’s request 

The PCB had reportedly agreed to the hybrid model proposal for the 2025 Champions Trophy but on the condition that the ICC implements the same during future global tournaments in India till 2031. However, the BCCI has rejected PCB's request , saying that there are no security threats in India.

“The BCCI contention is simple—There is no security threat in India and hence no question of accepting such an arrangement,” a report in The Telegraph said.

An ICC meeting was set to take place on Saturday (7 December) to discuss the fate of the 2025 Champions Trophy, but that was later postponed once again .

India and Pakistan have only met in ICC and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) tournaments since 2012, the last time these two teams played a bilateral series. India last travelled to Pakistan in 2008, when the Asia Cup was held in the country. Pakistan, on the other hand, have travelled to India multiple times since then, with the latest instance being in 2023 when the ODI World Cup was held.

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Pakistan suffered a league stage exit after finishing fifth in the event. The 2023 Asia Cup, which was originally scheduled to be held in Pakistan, was later held in a hybrid model with Sri Lanka hosting nine matches and Pakistan hosting four games. India played all their matches in Sri Lanka, including the final, where they emerged victorious.