Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has suggested that the International Cricket Council (ICC) should strip India and Pakistan of the hosting rights for all global events in the next cycle, following the ongoing scheduling issues surrounding the 2025 Champions Trophy. Latif's comments come after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to send Team India to Pakistan for the upcoming event in February 2025, citing security concerns.

The dispute has intensified with Pakistan rejecting the idea of a 'hybrid model', which would involve India playing its matches in a neutral venue. Instead, Pakistan has firmly advocated for hosting the entire tournament within the country. According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has even written to the ICC, seeking clarification on the BCCI's stance and calling for a resolution.

In an interview with an Indian news channel, the former wicketkeeper expressed his frustration over the matter and offered his bold suggestion: "My suggestion is that ICC should take away the hosting rights of all global events from India and Pakistan for the cycle of 2024-2031. ICC should tell these boards to first resolve all the issues and then we will give you the hosting rights."

He further elaborated on his stance, saying, "I think Pakistan are slated to host two ICC events, India are also slated to host four-five events in this time period. Take away the hosting rights, if these two teams don't want to play in each other's country, then I am just giving a suggestion that the hosting rights should be taken away by the ICC."

The India-Pakistan cricketing rivalry has been notably absent in bilateral series for years. Team India last played Pakistan during the 2008 Asia Cup, and their most recent tour to the country occurred in 2005-06. Despite the lack of bilateral cricket, both teams have continued to face off in ICC events and the Asia Cup.

The 56-year-old dismissed the possibility of the 2025 Champions Trophy being played under a hybrid model, where India would play their matches outside Pakistan. Recent reports have suggested potential alternative venues like South Africa or Dubai for India's fixtures.

"PCB is just hosting the event, ICC gave them the hosting rights. The BCCI agreed at that time. There is nothing concrete about the hybrid model. Everything should happen as per the ICC rules, it is a legal document. One should follow it, there is nothing about the hybrid model in the agreement. Don't mix the bilateral series and ACC tournaments with this Champions Trophy. The hosting rights for this tournament were signed under the eight-year cycle agreement," he said.

Latif reminded that Pakistan had honored ICC agreements in the past, citing the 2016 T20 World Cup and 2023 ODI World Cup, where Pakistan toured India for both tournaments. He emphasized the legal aspect, stating, "This isn’t about emotions. It’s about adhering to the legal framework. There's a lot of speculation about hybrid models and South Africa, but no one is discussing the legalities."

The last bilateral series between the two nations occurred in 2012-13, when Pakistan toured India for a white-ball series. Since then, the two teams have met only in major ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup, including their most recent encounter at the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.