Rashid Latif fires shots at PCB, brings Babar Azam into debate | PC- AFP
In what is deemed a surprising move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently dropped seven of their players from the middle of the Test tour of England. Even star players like Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha and Imam-ul-Haq weren’t spared by the Pakistan board.
After the Pakistan board took the disastrous call, various former cricketers and pundits have opened up and criticised the decision-makers, with former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif mincing no words.
The former cricketer, who played 203 international matches for Pakistan, is known for not shying away from speaking his mind. And this time, he has called out the Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB.
Rashid Latif fires shots at PCB; brings Babar Azam into debate
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has joined the list of former cricketers, after Jason Gillespie, to question the PCB.
Using his X handle, he grilled the decision-makers for dropping Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul in the middle of the England tour, while doing the same with Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie previously. While questioning the Pakistan board, Latif brought the newly appointed Test captain Babar Azam into the debate, saying whether he will be next on the radar.
“If the team had to be run by remote control, then why were Sarfaraz and Umar Gul sent? Why were the selection powers taken away from Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie? And if captain Babar Azam wasn’t listening, the captain should have been sacked — so why were Sarfaraz and Umar Gul sent back instead? Is Babar Azam the next target?” Rashid Latif said via his X handle.
Even Babar Azam's return couldn't save Pakistan from embarrassment
Babar Azam missed the first Test vs England due to an injury he sustained in the warm-up fixture. As the Pakistan captain missed the match at Headingley, the visitors were annihilated by an innings and 103 runs.
The stylish batter returned for the Lord’s Test, but could not contribute much to Pakistan’s cause, scoring 8 & 6 runs in the two innings, respectively. Babar’s return didn’t make much difference as the visiting team lost by 193 runs in the second game.
In the ENG vs PAK 2nd Test, a can of worms was opened up after Imam-ul-Haq opted not to bat in either innings after injuring his calf while fielding on Day 1. Reportedly, according to Pakistani media, the opener faked his injury, resulting in the the PCB taking massive steps, dropping the the axe on seven touring players, along with coaches Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul, amidst the tough tour.
Later, seven underexperienced cricketers were flown in on SOS from England ahead of the third and final Test vs England.
Pakistan look to survive first-ever whitewash in England
Pakistan and England will be at loggerheads at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham for the final Test of the three-match series, starting on September 9. Notably, the Asian side has played eight Test matches at the venue, not able to win even once.
Meanwhile, England have defeated Pakistan in the Edgbaston Tests on five occasions and drawn the match on the remaining instances.
The upcoming ENG vs PAK Test will be crucial for Babar Azam’s men as they will look to survive their first-ever series whitewash in England, even though the Three Lions whitewashed them in Pakistan in 2022/23.
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