‘Diluate a crisis by creating a bigger crisis’: Rashid Latif hits out at PCB after latest ruckus

Mohsin Naqvi and Rshid Latif (Screengrabs) The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made major changes to its Test squad after heavy defeats in the first two matches against England. Seven players were sent home before the third and final Test, while coaches were also replaced.Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were released. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also sacked, with Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke taking their place.Seven substitutes were called up, including Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas and Saad Baig. Five of them have international experience while Muhammad Randhawa and Razaullah are yet to represent Pakistan. The new players are expected to join the squad in Birmingham ahead of the September 9 Test.Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has criticized the sweeping changes, questioning the way current and former players are being treated following a poor team performance.

Rashid Latif questions PCB’s approach

Latif described the situation as another example of the PCB trying to manage one crisis by creating a bigger one. He said the decision shifted the focus from the team’s poor performances to what he described as another embarrassment for Pakistan cricket.He also pointed out that the changes involve the captain of the current Pakistan T20 side, a former captain and a recently impressive player, while several others who have barely played are also sent home.“Managing a crisis by creating a bigger crisis was the formula of the office – the recipe was the same again, but this time with a new ingredient of disrespect,” Latif wrote on X.

X Posted by Rashid Latif

“It’s the way we treat ex-internationals and our current players,” he added.Latif acknowledged that the team played poorly but questioned who was responsible for building the team.“Yes, it was a poor showing by the team, but who made this team. Those who made the team ironically are the ones who punish the team.”He ended with a warning about how people treat each other in cricket:“What we forget in life is the circle, today you don’t respect someone, it will come back to you.”