http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 Cricket News: Rashid Latif retires as wicket keeping coach
Rashid Latif, the former Pakistani wicket keeper, resigned from his post as the wicket keeping coach of the National Cricket Academy. The resignation came in the wake of his interview in the media regarding
the match fixing scandal Pakistani cricket is currently embroiled in. He was served with a show cause notice by the PCB on remarks he made in a Geo Super programme. The former captain also served as the batting coach of the Pakistan cricket team. However he
opted to join http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Afghanistan-c745 Cricket as their head coach. Eventually, he developed differences with the Afghan board officials and finally left the Afghan team.
Rashid defended the accusations levelled against him by the PCB for violating their code of conduct. He made it clear that it is not possible for him to remain oblivious of any controversy marring Pakistani
cricket. He asserted his right to speak on any cricket issue that surrounds the Pakistani team.
Rashid explained that he has replied to the PCB in response to their show cause notice but rejected any allegations of violating the PCB’s code of conduct. He opined that while it is an honour to serve Pakistani
cricket in any capacity, it is unacceptable that his right to comment on issues pertaining to Pakistani cricket can be snatched. He termed it his right to share his knowledge about the match fixing scam with the media and the general public.
He asserted that his loyalty and affiliation with Pakistani cricket can not be challenged. He expressed that he had been an important member of the Pakistani cricket team and his position as a former captain
means he should be allowed to give an honest opinion on issues related to cricket.
Rashid Latif argued that people have great expectations from him as a former player, and to highlight the real issues without any bias and prejudice. On Geo Super, he opined that had http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ijaz-Butt-c64128 been a capable
administrator, he would have suspended the three players for their alleged involvement in the match fixing scam. According to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rashid-Latif-c84084, the PCB management failed to act responsibly and thus the ICC had to take charge.
Latif argued that the PCB administration had been in a deep slumber over the whole facade. Latif has remained in prominence with his frequent, frank comments and views on the recent controversy. He also sought
explanation about the motives of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mazhar-c75448 Majeed and Mazhar Mehmood for foiling the alleged spot fixing scam.
It is pertinent to mention that Latif himself was engaged in highlighting match fixing during the mid 90s. He accused various players of involvement in match fixing in harmony with the bookies. He gained
focus with his retirement from the Pakistani team during their visit to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 in 1994-95. He retired as a protest against the players who were involved in match fixing. He appeared as a key witness in front of Justice Retd Qayyum, who conducted the
inquiry into match fixing allegations made in the late 90s. The inquiry finally led to a life ban on Saleem Malik and fast bowler Ata-ur-Rehman. The inquiry team had also penalized a number of other players financially.
Rashid linked his interview to the role of former Pakistani captain and regarded sharing any information with the public as his responsibility. He expressed his happiness and enjoyment on working relations
with the PCB chairman as a wicket keeping coach. However he urged that as a former captain, he owes certain other responsibilities to the game.
Whereas freedom of speech must be respected, the former captain should have exercised cautious behaviour in his statement. The team is already battered by the spot fixing controversy and cannot afford further
deterioration in its ranks. Similarly the crisis situation entails responsibility on the higher echelon of PCB to avoid further fault lines in the PCB management. The PCB management there must stand unified, which is something the situation also demands.
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