Former Pakistani elector Rashid Latif is confident that the PCB will not deviate an inch from the Pakistan government’s stance this time and has challenged the ICC to impose sanctions if they wish. He also kept claiming that the revenue provided to Pakistan was negligible.

The cricketing fraternity may not have expected Pakistan to make such a bold move, calling for a boycott of the match against India while continuing to participate in the remaining matches of the ICC T20 World Cup, which, although not disclosed, was seen as a move in support of an “injustice” against Bangladesh.

However, Indian officials believe that this move is nothing more than an attempt to politicize cricket, while Pakistan is using the Bangladesh issue as a scapegoat to infiltrate politics into cricket and ignore the spirit of sportsmanship. The ICC also warned Pakistan that it would face serious consequences if it did not reconsider its decision.

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Rashid Latif claims ICC revenue to Pakistan ‘worthless’

Former Pakistan Test captain Rashid Latif claimed that the power dynamics may change if Pakistan does not make any concessions. “The political landscape of Southeast Asia has completely changed. Let’s see how things unfold. Only time will tell,” he told Hindustan Times in an interview.

As the ICC issued a statement to the PCB about the dire consequences just hours after the announcement, Latif said there was panic at the ICC since the ICC office was closed on Sunday.

He also claimed that Pakistan received minimal revenue from the ICC. He also appeared frustrated when he said they were not taken seriously at the ICC, which is now an open secret.

“As for revenue, if you want to operate like this, don’t give us anything. Pakistan is getting nothing at the moment,” Latif added.

Rashid Latif launches scathing attack on ICC, says ‘sanctions against Pakistan’

When asked by an interviewee whether the ICC could impose sanctions on them for not reconsidering their ways after the ICC directive, Rashid Latif appeared indifferent and claimed, “Sanctions lagana hai toh laga de Pakistan pe. (If they want to do it, then do it.)”

He went on to further claim that Pakistan took this decision themselves so they would know what the consequences would be and if the ICC has so many issues with Pakistan then why does it need to add these issues?

“The revenue is zero. I don’t think sanctions will change anything. Pakistan ko nuksaan jo hoga, wo hoga, but uss se bada ICC ko hoga. (ICC will suffer more than Pakistan.) ICC will be affected by more than 75 per cent,” the former PCB selector said.

“The ICC funds teams in Italy, Germany, Nigeria, Brazil and others. How are they going to do it next? This is white collar crime, so it will stop too,” he added.

While negotiations may take place, there is no room for a U-turn – Rashid Latif

Finally, a question that the former Pakistan captain is often asked is whether he could foresee the possibility of Pakistan reversing their decision. Questions were also raised about whether the ICC would explain the situation to the PCB and the Pakistani government.

In this regard, Rashid said that after the decision was taken by the Pakistan government and not the PCB, there was no room for a U-turn. However, he assured that negotiations could proceed. Although Pakistan has taken a decision, they are willing to have a dialogue on the issue.

Also read: BCCI breaks silence on Pakistan boycott of India’s 2026 T20 World Cup matches