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Former Pakistani captain Rashid Latif has shown softness in his earlier tough stance regarding the upcoming T20 World Cup. While earlier he had talked about boycotting the tournament, now he believes that the right time has come to take such a step. However, he also clarified that it is not likely that Pakistan will completely withdraw from the tournament.

What method of protest did Latif suggest?

Latif has suggested a different way of protest that Pakistan should participate in the World Cup but should not play against India. Rashid Latif also said that any such decision will have to be taken not by the Pakistan Cricket Board but by the government of the country. According to him, if the government gives instructions that the match against India will not be played, then the International Cricket Council (ICC) will have to accept it.

Latif said in a warning tone that if ICC does not accept this decision, then the real conflict will start from there. Even when he was asked what would happen if the teams of India and Pakistan come face to face in the final, he clearly said that he will not play.

Latif also admitted that his old idea of ​​boycott is no longer effective. He told that when the decision was taken in the ICC meeting to exclude Bangladesh from the tournament, at that time Pakistan had a strong opportunity to protest. According to him, if Pakistan Cricket Board had taken strict action at that time, its impact would have been greater. During a conversation on a YouTube channel, he said that there is a right time for every decision and when the opportunity is missed, the protest made later is not as effective.

It is noteworthy that in the ICC meeting, 14 votes were cast in favor of excluding Bangladesh. After this, Scotland was included in the tournament in their place. ICC had cited logistics and contract problems behind this. Pakistan had supported Bangladesh in this voting, but accepted the decision of ICC.

Pakistan had sided with Bangladesh

Latif said that Pakistan had made its stand clear by standing with Bangladesh and now that matter has come to an end. He believes that if boycott is talked about now, it will not have any significant impact. Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had indicated that the board may consider adopting a principled stance like Bangladesh, but no official announcement was made in this direction.

At present, the T20 World Cup will be held as per schedule and Pakistan will participate in it. Matches to India are to be played at neutral venues under the hybrid model till 2027, so that a direct clash between the two countries can be avoided.