Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has pointed out on the potential decision by India to refuse participation in the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan, warning that such a move could have consequences for the cricketing powerhouse.
Speaking to IANS, Rashid Latif emphasized the significance of honoring commitments to ICC events, highlighting the repercussions of backing out, especially considering past instances where teams’ decisions resulted in unexpected outcomes.
Rashid Latif understands India’s issues :-
Latif stressed that while teams may choose to refrain from bilateral series due to various reasons, refusing ICC events could prove to be more challenging. Drawing parallels to historical incidents, he pointed out the case of the 1996 World Cup, where Australia and West Indies declined to play in Sri Lanka, leading to a reshuffling of groups and ultimately, Sri Lanka emerging as the champion.
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This, according to Rashid Latif, underscores the potential repercussions of withdrawing from ICC tournaments.
Highlighting the contractual obligations between cricket boards and the ICC, Latif emphasized that teams are aware of their commitments when signing agreements. He noted that such agreements include provisions for participating in designated venues, as was the case with Pakistan’s understanding that they would play in India during the World Cup.
In response to reports of India’s potential non-participation, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed hosting India’s qualifying round matches in one city, suggesting Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore as potential venues, with Lahore earmarked for the final match.
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The discussion surrounding the venue for the Champions Trophy underscores the complexities involved in organizing international cricket tournaments, particularly in regions where geopolitical tensions may impact decisions regarding participation.
Ultimately, Latif cautioned against the ramifications of refusing to participate in ICC events, urging teams to provide logical explanations if government-level circumstances dictate their absence.