http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rashid-Latif-c84084 Develops Differences with Afghan Cricket, Opting to end Contract
Pakistan’s former captain/wicketkeeper Rashid Latif who is the current head coach of the Afghan national team has developed estranged relationship with some officials of the cricket board and players within the team.
According to insiders, the differences emerged after the Pakistan tour where the Afghans suffered a 3-0 loss against Pakistan-A. Latif suspected that some players deliberately performed below par to get him removed as the coach of the team, because of these
revelations it is believed that the former Pakistan international might not seek a renewal of his contract which is due to expire on 31 July, 2011.
Latif who represented http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Kabir-Khan-c77039 back in the job, performed unimpressively in the recently concluded tournament. However, these rumours were shot down by the
Afghan team manager http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shafiq-c89281 Aswat, who insisted that although Latif was unpleased with the team because of their poor tour of Pakistan, there were no differences between the players and the coach.
“Atmosphere is very pleasant in the dressing room. The players respect Latif as the coach." Aswat said.
According to the team manager, the board and Latif are in negotiations regarding the future contract and from what he knows right now, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Afghanistan-c745 wants to retain the reigning coach for the job. Giving his insight on the matter, the manager said, “Both sides
agree and we will bring him back, otherwise they would have to get a new coach.”
The 42-year old Latif, who took charge of the Afghan team in 2010, helped raise the standard of the minnows, as he introduced new techniques which benefitted the players of the developing nation. Under Latif’s coaching, Afghanistan shocked the world by defeating
favourites Pakistan in the semi-final of the 2010 Asian Games. This was the highlight of his coaching stint when finally it became evident that Afghan cricket was moving in the right direction.
Later, Latif was instrumental in convincing the Afghan and Pakistan cricket boards to hold a bilateral series of three one-day matches.
The One Day International tournament in May, 2011, also marked resumption of international cricket in the terror hit Pakistan, where foreign teams have refused to play since the 2009 terror attacks on the visiting Sri Lankan Cricket team.
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