Rashid Latif sides with India a night before Champions Trophy final on Venue Advantage; tears apart Nasser Hussain

Former England cricketers Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton, and David Lloyd recently stated that India had an "undeniable advantage" in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has lashed out at them and urged them to stop complaining about the schedule.

India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. Pakistan, the hosts, agreed to a hybrid model. It meant the Rohit Sharma-led team would play all its matches in Dubai, while the other seven teams had to compete across three venues in Pakistan and travel to Dubai for their fixtures against India.

Rashid Latif Urges Former England Cricketers to Stop Complaining

The debate over India’s advantage in the Champions Trophy has intensified following their unbeaten run to the final. Rashid Latif questioned why former England cricketers were complaining about the tournament's schedule. Latif stated that England’s former players had no reason to complain.

“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),’ Rashid Latif said on the show ‘Caught Behind.’

The Semifinal Lineup Would Have Been Decided Easily - Rashid Latif

Rashid Latif pointed out a scheduling flaw in the ongoing Champions Trophy. Latif also said that if India’s group-stage match against New Zealand had been played a day earlier, the semifinal lineup would have been decided easily.

“Yes, there was a problem with scheduling. On Saturday, 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 lineup would have been decided easily," Latif added.

Australia and South Africa traveled from Pakistan to Dubai ahead of the semi-finals. However, India defeated New Zealand in their final group-stage match and secured a semi-final clash against Australia. South Africa had to return to Lahore to face New Zealand in the second semi-final.

Rashid Latif Slams ICC and Stakeholders for Not Addressing Blunder in Schedule

The cricketer-turned-expert also criticized the ICC and stakeholders for failing to address the issue. Latif said that cricket board representatives should take responsibility. He also added that all boards had agreed to the schedule and should not create unnecessary controversy.

“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 whinging.

“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.

“If India is getting all the support, but you all agreed to it, let’s say we Pakistanis are making excuses because of jealousy, but the rest of the world should not moan about this issue. You all agreed to this schedule. They are trying to create an unnecessary controversy,” he said.

India will face New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, March 9. New Zealand have the advantage of already playing a game in Dubai.

Mitchell Santner's side suffered a 44-run loss to India, but they will be confident after their dominant 50-run victory over South Africa in the semifinal in Lahore.

Also read: Varun Chakravarthy fear in New Zealand camp? Mitchell Santner sends shockwaves