Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has defended the BCCI amid criticism over the 2025 Champions Trophy scheduling issues, asserting that the blame lies with the ICC and other cricket boards. He noted the specific scheduling misstep that could have simplified the semifinal lineup and urged critics to accept their roles in the oversight. Indian players expressed mixed feelings regarding any advantages gained from playing in Dubai, showcasing differing perceptions within the team.
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has defended the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) amidst criticism concerning the scheduling chaos for the 2025 Champions Trophy. According to Latif, the blame should not solely rest on BCCI, but rather on the representatives of the International Cricket Council (ICC) who he believes contributed to the scheduling blunder.
The situation arose when geopolitical factors prevented India from traveling to Pakistan for the tournament, prompting the ICC to designate Dubai as the venue for all of India’s matches. However, as the tournament progressed, accusations of India enjoying an ‘undeniable advantage’ began to surface due to their consistent play at one location.
Latif expressed his discontent towards the comments made by former England cricketers Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton, and David Lloyd. He questioned their involvement and remarked, “They are trying to be overly involved in someone else’s affairs.” He acknowledged the scheduling difficulties but insisted that the blame was collective and that all cricket boards had a role in this oversight.
He elaborated on the specific scheduling issue, suggesting that if India had played their match against New Zealand a day earlier, it could have simplified the semifinal lineup. Latif criticized the cricket boards, urging them to take their responsibilities seriously rather than complain post-factum. Furthermore, he stated that while Pakistan may be perceived as making excuses out of jealousy, other nations should refrain from lodging complaints since they agreed to the schedule.
On the other hand, India’s perspective on the situation was varied. Indian captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir dismissed the notion of any undue advantage for India. Gambhir argued that the practice conditions between the ICC Academy and the playing venue were distinctively different and emphasized that they had not practiced at the Dubai venue prior to the matches.
However, veteran bowler Mohammed Shami acknowledged the potential benefits of playing all matches at one venue, identifying it as advantageous due to familiarity with the pitch’s conditions. This brings forth contrasting viewpoints within the Indian team regarding the implications of the venue arrangement.
Rashid Latif’s comments highlight the complexity of the scheduling issue for the 2025 Champions Trophy and the shared responsibility of the ICC and the cricket boards. While he criticized the narrative constructed by certain former England cricketers, the Indian team’s reactions reflect a divided opinion on the perceived advantages of playing in Dubai. Ultimately, this scenario calls for an evaluation of how scheduling decisions are made and the collective accountability of all involved parties.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
