Rashid Latif brutally slams PCB for national team's decline

Rashid Latif didn't hold back in his criticism, targeting the PCB for what he sees as the destruction of cricket in the country

PHOTO: FILE

The Pakistan cricket team has reached a low point in its history, suffering a shocking home defeat in the 2-match Test series against Bangladesh. While some players have faced criticism from fans and experts, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its recent chairmen are also being heavily blamed.

Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif didn't hold back in his criticism, targeting the PCB for what he sees as the destruction of cricket in the country.

"Whoever became the chairman in the last four years has demolished Pakistan cricket," Latif said.

Latif specifically questioned the decisions made by the PCB regarding leadership changes within the team. He criticized the board for removing Babar Azam from captaincy, only to later reinstate him as the white-ball skipper.

"Who brought him (Shan Masood) as (Test) captain? Who removed Babar Azam (from captaincy)? Who divided the Pakistan team?" Latif asked.

Latif believes that the disintegration of the Pakistan team began when Babar Azam was forced to resign as captain, suggesting that the move was made to serve personal interests rather than the team's welfare.

"When he (Zaka Ashraf) was doing everything, making team and appointing captains, who is he blaming then - Babar? You forcibly made Babar resign. The team started disintegrating from there itself. It was you who made Shan the captain for your own benefit, to break the team. So your team is broken now," he further said.

Latif also called for more accountability within the PCB, arguing that the role of chairman should not be honorary and should come with clear responsibilities and limitations.

"Those who did the damage and left, how will they be held accountable? Chairman-ship should never be honorary. These guys are not audited. It should be written in the (PCB) Constitution that you (chairman) can't appoint a captain, can't form a selection committee. You have given the entire power into the hands of a chairman. They know nothing about cricket," he concluded.