"It’s a white-collar crime": Rashid Latif challenges Jay Shah’s ICC to impose sanctions on Pakistan

Former Pakistan selector Rashid Latif has kept immense faith that the PCB would not budge an inch from the Pakistan government's standpoint this time, and has dared the ICC to enforce sanctions if they want to. He has also constantly made the claim that the revenue offered to Pakistan is negligible.

The cricketing world might have not have predicted Pakistan making such a bold move, where they call for the boycott of the game against India while they continue their participation in the remainder of the ICC T20 World Cup, which, though not revealed, has been cited as a move to back the 'injustice' against Bangladesh.

However, the Indian officials have believed that the move is nothing more than an attempt to politicise cricket, and Pakistan is scapegoating the Bangladesh issue to peep politics into the game, ignoring the sportsmanship spirit. The ICC has also warned Pakistan of severe consequences if it does not reconsider its decision.

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Rashid Latif claims the ICC revenue to Pakistan is worth 'nothing'

The Former Pakistan Test skipper, Rashid Latif, has claimed that if Pakistan doesn't budge an inch, then the power dynamics might shift their way. "The political scenario has changed completely in Southeast Asia. Let's see how things pan out from here. Only time will tell," he said in an interview with Hindustan Times.

Since the ICC issued its statement to the PCB of dire consequences just hours after its announcement, Latif cited that the ICC has panicked since they opened the ICC office to issue the statement, since they are closed on Sundays.

He has also claimed that the amount of revenue Pakistan receives from the ICC is nothing but negligible. He also looked frustrated when he said that they are not valued in the ICC, and that is an open secret now.

"And as for revenue, don't give us anything if you want to operate like this. What Pakistan is currently getting is nothing," Latif added.

"Sanction lagana hai toh laga de Pakistan pe," Rashid Latif launches a scathing attack on ICC

When questioned by the interviewer on whether ICC can enforce sanctions against them for not rethinking their way after the ICC directive, Rashid Latif looked indifferent and claimed, "Sanction lagana hai toh laga de Pakistan pe. (If they want to do it, then do it.)"

He went on to claim further that Pakistan have taken this decision themselves and hence they would be aware of what the consequences would be, and if the ICC has so many issues with Pakistan, then why do they need to be added?

"The revenue is zero. I don't think sanctions would change anything. Pakistan ko nuksaan jo hoga, wo hoga, but uss se bada ICC ko hoga. (The ICC would suffer more losses than Pakistan.) The ICC would be impacted by more than 75 percent," said the former PCB selector.

"The ICC funds Italy, Germany, Nigeria, Brazil and other teams. How will they do that going ahead? It's a white-collar crime, so it will also stop," he added.

There is no scope for U-turn, though negotiations might take place - Rashid Latif

Lastly, the one question that has constantly been asked of the former Pakistan captain is whether he can foresee the chances of a reversal of the decision by the Pakistan team. The questions were also raised on whether the ICC will come in to explain things to the PCB and the Pakistan government.

On this, Rashid said that there is no room for a U-turn after the decisions have been made by the Pakistan government and not by the PCB. However, he assured that negotiations are likely to take place. Though Pakistan have made the decision, they will be open to having a talk on the issue.

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