Former Pakistan selector Rashid Latif is confident that the PCB will not step back even an inch from the Pakistan government’s viewpoint this time, and has challenged the ICC to impose sanctions if they wish. He has also consistently claimed that the revenue given to Pakistan is negligible.
The cricket world might not have anticipated that Pakistan would take such a bold step where they call for a boycott of the game against India while they continue their participation in the remainder of the ICC T20 World Cup, although the reason has not been disclosed, but it has been cited as a move to support the ‘injustice’ against Bangladesh.
However, Indian officials believe that the move is nothing more than an attempt to politicize cricket, and Pakistan is scapegoating the Bangladesh issue to get a glimpse of politics in the game while ignoring the spirit of the game. ICC has also warned Pakistan of facing serious consequences if it does not reconsider its decision.
Rashid Latif claims ICC revenue received by Pakistan is ‘worth nothing’
Former Pakistan Test captain Rashid Latif has claimed that if Pakistan does not step back even an inch, the power dynamics may change its course. “The political landscape in Southeast Asia has completely changed. Let’s see how things progress from here. Only time will tell,” he said in an interview with Hindustan Times.
Since the ICC issued a statement of grave consequences to the PCB just hours after its announcement, Latif said that the ICC has been nervous since he opened the ICC office to issue the statement, as they are closed on Sundays.
He has also claimed that the revenue Pakistan gets from ICC is negligible. He also looked disappointed when he said that he is not given importance in ICC and it is now an open secret.
Latif said, “And as far as revenue is concerned, if you want to work like this then don’t give us anything. What Pakistan is currently getting is nothing.”
Rashid Latif launched a scathing attack on the ICC and said, “If you want to impose sanction, impose it on Pakistan.”
When the interviewer questioned whether the ICC could impose sanctions against him for not reconsidering his ways after ICC’s directive, Rashid Latif looked indifferent and claimed, “Manjoori lagana hai to laga de Pakistan pe. (If they want to do it, do it.)”
He further claimed that Pakistan had taken this decision themselves and hence they would know what the consequences would be, and if the ICC has so many issues with Pakistan, then why is there a need to add to them?
The former PCB selector said, “The revenue is zero. I don’t think the sanctions will change anything. The loss to Pakistan will be whatever, but the loss to ICC will be bigger than us. (ICC will suffer more than Pakistan.) ICC will be affected by more than 75 per cent.”
“The ICC funds Italy, Germany, Nigeria, Brazil and other teams. How will they do this in the future? This is a white-collar crime, so this too will have to stop,” he said.
There is no scope for U-turn, although talks can take place – Rashid Latif
Finally, a question that has been constantly asked of the former Pakistan captain is whether he can foresee the possibility of the Pakistan team overturning the decision. Questions were also raised whether the ICC would come forward to explain things to the PCB and the Pakistan government.
On this, Rashid said that there is no scope for a U-turn since the decision was taken not by the PCB but by the Pakistan government. However, he assured that talks were likely to take place. Although Pakistan has taken the decision, they are ready for talks on this issue.
Also read: BCCI breaks silence on Pakistan boycotting India’s match in T20 World Cup 2026
