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Legendary wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has criticized the political interference in Pakistan cricket, blaming both the government and former cricketers for the sport’s decline.
Latif stated that the crumbling state of Pakistan cricket did not happen by accident, but was a result of political influence from figures like Najam Sethi, Ehsan Mani, Zaka Ashraf, and Mohsin Naqvi.
“Pakistan cricket did not reach the brink of destruction just like that,” Latif said, “The political interference and former legends have played an important role in its destruction. Everyone has been using their political influence, whether it is Najam Sethi or Ehsan Mani, Zaka Ashraf or Mohsin Naqvi.”
Latif emphasized that the PCB chairmen, as soon as they took over, surrounded themselves with legends based on their own biases, handing over the control of cricket to them, which he believes marked the beginning of the sport’s downfall.
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“All the chairman, as soon as he came, kept the legends close to him according to his thinking and handed over cricket to them, from where the destruction of our cricket began.”
He further stated that the introduction of franchise cricket and the management of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) by non-professionals was another factor in the downfall.
“The people who are running this PSL are not professionals and have been grouped to save their place for ten years,” Latif added.
According to Latif, former cricketers only seek financial opportunities whether it comes from commentary, coaching, TV appearances, or mentoring roles, they cannot contribute positively to Pakistan cricket’s growth.
“Players need money, whether they come from commentary or coaching or come as TV experts or become mentors. They cannot succeed anywhere and neither can they bring any special benefit to Pakistan cricket,” he said.
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The former wicketkeeper also pointed out the inconsistency in the PCB’s actions. Despite once stating that it would not hire TV pundits, the PCB has placed former players on media channels.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has put its own players on other channels to save its reputation,” Latif claimed, adding, “There was a time when the chairman said that we will not take people who sit on TV and talk on the board. But they put their own legends on TV.”
Latif also criticized the constant changes in captaincy, noting how the former chairmen created a bad tradition of making political decisions based on advice from former players and ex-captains.
He explained how each new chairman appointed a new captain to maintain their political support, leading to further instability in leadership.
“Najam Sethi came and made Shadab the captain, then Zaka Ashraf came and, on the advice of some former captains and players, Shaheen Afridi was made the captain… and the matter does not end here. Then Mohsin Naqvi came and, on the advice of some former captains and players, Babar Azam was made the captain again.”
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Latif argued that these decisions were made based on political motives, not merit. “All the chairmen who came on political grounds, they did not come on merit at all. A former player or a current player is a pawn whom the chairman makes a minister and also beats the minister with a pawn.”
He concluded by stating that the removal of Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain marked the beginning of Pakistan cricket’s downfall.
“Long story short, when Sarfaraz was removed from the captaincy by Ehsan Mani, the days of ruin of the Pakistani cricket team began,” he added.
Latif urged the government to stop political appointments within the PCB and to change the constitution to ensure that decisions, such as selecting the captain and forming selection committees, are made based on merit, not political influence.
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“The government is requested to stop political appointments in the board, change the constitution of the PCB. Why does the cricket board form a selection committee in the chair? And why does the chairman have the power to make the captain?” he asked.
Latif warned that if these fundamental changes are not made soon, Pakistan cricket could face even worse results in the future. “These are basic mistakes which have to be corrected as soon as possible, otherwise we will start losing to Bhutan too.”
