Ex-Pakistan Captain Rashid Latif Lashes Out At England For Claiming India Got Advantage In Champions Trophy 2025

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 may have concluded with India lifting the trophy, but the aftermath of the tournament has ignited a heated debate in the cricketing world. The controversy revolves around allegations that India was given an unfair advantage by playing all their matches in Dubai, while other teams had to travel between Pakistan and the UAE.

Former England cricketers Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton, and David Lloyd have voiced concerns about this scheduling decision, claiming that India benefited logistically and environmentally, as they were spared the fatigue of constant travel. This has led to sharp reactions from cricketing circles, with former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif hitting back at the English commentators for their criticism.

Rashid Latif’s Scathing Response to English Cricketers

Known for his outspoken views, Rashid Latif has strongly dismissed the claims made by former England cricketers. Speaking on his show ‘Caught Behind,’ Latif questioned why English cricketers were making an issue out of India’s schedule, despite the tournament schedule being agreed upon well in advance.

“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 unnecessarily getting involved in someone else’s matters).”

Latif’s remarks indicate that while Pakistan may have had valid concerns, it was surprising to see English ex-cricketers getting involved in the debate. He highlighted that all stakeholders, including cricket boards, had accepted the schedule before the tournament began. Complaining about it after England’s elimination seemed like an excuse rather than a genuine issue.

Furthermore, Latif criticized the ICC’s scheduling mistakes, claiming that if they truly wanted fairness, they should have fixed certain errors in the semifinal lineup.

Scheduling Blunder: A Bigger Issue?

Beyond the India scheduling controversy, Rashid Latif pointed out a crucial blunder in the Champions Trophy’s scheduling, which he believes was more impactful than India’s stationary venue.

“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.”

Latif blamed the ICC and all stakeholders for this poor scheduling, suggesting that had the matches been planned more efficiently, teams would have had a clearer path to qualification. He criticized cricket board representatives for not paying attention to the scheduling flaws during ICC meetings.

“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.”

His frank criticism raised an important question: Were teams, including England, only raising the issue after being eliminated, or was there a genuine flaw in the tournament’s scheduling?

India’s Perspective: No Unfair Advantage, Just Strong Performance

While the controversy has dominated post-tournament discussions, India’s camp has strongly defended their performance, dismissing claims of an unfair advantage.

India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and veteran cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara have downplayed the travel debate, instead focusing on the team’s well-balanced squad and strategic execution.

“Our victory wasn’t due to playing all matches in Dubai. It was a result of our team’s consistency, balance, and ability to adapt to various conditions,” Kotak said.

Pujara echoed this sentiment, highlighting that India’s success was not dependent on logistical benefits but rather on their high-quality cricket throughout the tournament.

India showcased dominance from the group stage to the final, with key players stepping up in crucial moments. Their ability to handle pressure situations and adapt to the conditions played a huge role in their championship win.

India’s Champions Trophy 2025 Journey: A Closer Look

Group Stage

India started their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a commanding win over Sri Lanka, followed by a crucial victory against South Africa. They remained unbeaten in the group stage, securing a semifinal berth with ease.

Semifinal Showdown

India faced Australia in the semifinals, a team known for rising to the occasion in ICC tournaments. However, a stellar performance from Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Virat Kohli ensured that India booked their spot in the final with a convincing win.

The Grand Finale: India vs New Zealand

The final against New Zealand was expected to be a closely contested affair, and it lived up to the hype.

New Zealand posted a challenging 251/7
Rohit Sharma led from the front with a match-winning 76 off 83 balls
India chased down the target with a composed batting performance, clinching their third Champions Trophy title

Despite the off-field noise about scheduling, India’s on-field dominance was undeniable, making them deserving winners.

Is the Debate Justified?

While some argue that India’s fixed venue in Dubai did give them a logistical advantage, it is important to recognize that all teams had agreed to the tournament’s structure beforehand.

Moreover, cricket has always involved certain advantages for home teams in ICC tournaments.

In the 2019 World Cup, England played most of their matches at home.
In the 2015 World Cup, Australia and New Zealand hosted the entire tournament.
In the 2023 World Cup, India played all their matches in familiar home conditions.

Did England complain then? No.

Rashid Latif’s comments highlight a hypocrisy in some criticisms, where the same standards are not applied consistently across different tournaments.

Furthermore, while travel fatigue can be a factor, top international teams are accustomed to constant travel and adaptation. Blaming travel for tournament results undermines the true performances of the players on the field.

Final Thoughts: A Controversy That Won’t Change the Result

The Champions Trophy 2025 debate has certainly stirred controversy, with Rashid Latif’s blunt remarks adding fuel to the fire. However, the result remains unchanged—India are the Champions Trophy winners, and their performances on the field were nothing short of exceptional.

While Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton, and David Lloyd may feel India had an edge, the reality is that every team had an equal opportunity to perform. India simply made better use of their resources, showcased superior consistency, and ultimately deserved their triumph.

As debates continue, the focus will soon shift to the next big cricketing event, but one thing is certain: India’s Champions Trophy 2025 victory will remain etched in history, regardless of off-field controversies.

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