Subhayan Chakraborty
The Pakistan government on Sunday announced that the national team will boycott the T20 World Cup match against India, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, while confirming their participation in the tournament. The decision has sent shockwaves in the cricketing world, with many wondering about the financial losses the International Cricket Council (ICC) and broadcasters will have to bear.
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif, in an interview with RevSportz, talked about the decision by the Pakistan government while opining up on the relations between the two countries and what it could mean for the future of international cricket.
Excerpts:
Q: How do you see this decision of the Pakistan government?
Rashid Latif: Timing is very important. Pakistan delayed it a little. They could have done it last week or even before that. The Australia series is over. They have to fly tomorrow. Both (Australia and Pakistan) teams will probably go to Colombo from Lahore.
It seems Pakistan has used the timing. If we look at the political scenario, there has been a rapid change in the subcontinent and south Asia. The issue with Pakistan is also a political thing. It is not fighting with India directly here. But things are going on from somewhere else. India is also doing it on Pakistan. So, it seems to be more political.
But if I think about cricket, I often think that India is not coming to Pakistan. Pakistan is not going to India. Cricket players are suffering, fans are suffering. Virat Kohli and Babar Azam have not even played a Test match against each other. So, we see all these things.
Sometimes, the situation is such that we stop talking about it. We get blocked in India. Indians get blocked in Pakistan. In this scenario this decision has come. It is both political and cricketing. In the last Asia Cup, there was no handshake. That was unfair. If you ask Suryakumar Yadav, or anyone else, they will tell you it was unfair.
But on the other hand, if there is a government order, you have to obey. If you don’t give a trophy after that, then it is even worse for Pakistan and India. BCCI and PCB are getting worse. The decision taken by Mr Naqvi is a government decision. He is directly involved, whether with the PM or someone else. He has seen his loss and decided that such things will not happen in the future.
Q: India and Pakistan not playing against each other, Bangladesh is also in the picture. How do you see the future of Asia Cup or relations between these countries, and the role of ICC in this?
Rashid Latif: As for the Asia Cup, India and Pakistan will not travel to each other’s country. They are concerned about security. The government did not give permission. The same thing was applied by Bangladesh. The Mustafizur Rahman issue, the BCCI played the wrong political game. People made a small thing so big that if he comes, we will do this and that.
Even with Shah Rukh Khan! He is a big star. He is not only a star of India. He is a worldwide star. People are humiliating him on social media. Bangladesh took full advantage of this. They refused to travel in the letter they wrote to the ICC. The ICC took the decision quickly. They voted and it was over. They did not think that Bangladesh would refuse. No one thought. But they took the decision. They went to the government. They stood there and announced it.
Bangladesh is a full Test member. They are saying there is security risk in India. No one can guarantee it. ICC was taking the guarantee. It was a quick decision. I think the government of Pakistan used the timing. Looking at the internal politics, they took the decision. They did not hit the BCCI. I think they hit the ICC directly. ICC came to Bangladesh and sat on the negotiation table. They should come to the middle ground. It is important to talk.
Q: What do you think will be the impact of this decision on the broadcasters?
Rashid Latif: The people above the government are broadcasters. It is a game of billions. A businessman will come. He will dictate. If the broadcasters withdraw from the ICC, it is game over. ICC cannot tolerate a loss of three billion dollars. Where will you recover it from? Who will you sell it to? If it is 45 crores cricket viewers among Pakistan and Bangladesh, they will not even watch the biggest game.
Your cricket economy is going to be in a lot of trouble. How will you run 115 countries who depend on ICC funding? Three matches were played between Pakistan and India in Asia Cup. They were on 14th, 21st and 28th September. All Sundays are booked. India and Pakistan, people watch it like crazy. Your economy will be in a lot of trouble.
Q: How can ICC negotiate regarding this issue?
Rashid Latif: I think today’s decision is just a trailer. This match will not happen. Women’s World Cup is in 2026. Pakistan will not play. South Africa World Cup is in 2027. World Test Championship is coming. India and Pakistan are not playing against each other. India won’t lose much because of IPL. But ICC is in danger. ICC has been hit financially. What is ICC? It is a body with all the Test playing members and associates. Pakistan the team has become weak. When an ICC event comes, you and I are cricket fans, we watch every game. But 70 per cent of the public is busy with their work. When India and Pakistan play, millions of fans are there. Hopefully, we will find a solution somewhere.
Q: Do you think ICC should negotiate with Pakistan?
Rashid Latif: We protest to find a solution. There should be a meeting. It will be a big loss if ICC doesn’t hold a meeting. If Pakistan withdraw from the India match, the cricket economy will be in tatters. India will survive because of IPL, but what about other boards? Big Bash in Australia is popular but revenue-wise, it doesn’t come close to IPL. The Hundred in England is the same. England and Australia play five-Test bilateral series. They will have that financial backing because of that. But Pakistan or other boards are not at this level. I think ICC will come on the table and apart from Jay Shah, other big countries will also give their inputs.
Q: Is a U-turn from Pakistan possible?
Rashid Latif: It is possible. There are many U-turns in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. But we don’t know what exactly will happen. If Delhi and Islamabad talk to each other and there is a negotiation, then that’s fine. For cricket, it’s fine. I want the ICC to benefit. I think there should be a negotiation. Problems will be solved. We can make suggestions. Neither am I in the government nor am I in the PCB. Neither are you in the BCCI. We can suggest through the medium.
Q: How do you see Mohsin Naqvi the cricket administrator?
Rashid Latif: Till now, it was 50-50. It was a mixed bag. This decision is outstanding as an administrator. No doubt the government of Pakistan is also involved. But he himself is strong. Whether it is as the interior minister or as the chief of PCB. And this decision will take him very high. I mean, the members in international cricket, the Asian Cricket Council countries, or others like Australia, England, they would talk about this. Who is the person, who is so powerful in cricket that he is locking horns with India?
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