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A heated debate has erupted in the cricket world following the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif lashing out at former England cricketers Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton and David Lloyd. The controversy centres around claims that India received an unfair advantage by playing all their matches in Dubai. This decision meant that India did not have to travel between Pakistan and the UAE like other teams, potentially giving them a logistical and environmental edge.
Rashid Latif’s response to the claims
Latif, known for his candid views on cricket, has strongly criticized the English legends for their comments. Speaking on the show ‘Caught Behind,’ Latif dismissed the criticism by saying, “If we (Pakistan) are talking about India having an advantage, you get it. But why are former England cricketers whinging about it now? Begaani shaadi mein abdullah deewana (They are trying to be overly involved in someone else’s affairs)”. He emphasized that all stakeholders, including cricket boards, agreed to the schedule, and it was not fair to complain after the fact.
Latif also pointed out that while the English cricketers were vocal about India’s perceived advantage, they seemed less concerned about other scheduling issues that could have affected the tournament’s outcome. He highlighted a scheduling blunder that could have impacted the semifinal lineup but noted that all parties had agreed to proceed with the released schedule.
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“Yes, there was a problem with scheduling. On Sunday, March 2nd, India played New Zealand in Dubai. If India had played that match a day earlier, when England played South Africa (on March 1st) in Karachi, then the semifinal line-up would have been decided easily. It was a blunder from the ICC and all the stakeholders. You have one job: to check the schedule, and you missed the mistake. Once you agreed, and now your team is out, you are whining. All the representatives of the cricket boards are to blame. You should not go to the ICC meeting to have a good time. Do your job properly,” he added.
India’s perspective
India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and veteran cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara have defended the team’s performance, attributing their success to the team’s balance rather than any perceived advantage. They emphasized that India’s victory in the tournament was due to their strong team dynamics and strategic planning, rather than any logistical benefits.
India won the Champions Trophy 2025 title by defeating New Zealand in the final on Sunday, March 9. The team’s consistent performance throughout the tournament was praised by many, with their ability to adapt to different conditions being a key factor in their success.
