Former Pakistan’s star wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif has blamed ex-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf for ruining cricket in the country. Latif even accused Ashraf of attempting to divide the Pakistan team during his tenure. Zaka Ashraf served as the PCB chairman from July 2023 to January 2024. During the ODI World Cup in India last year, Ashraf was in charge of the PCB and played a significant role in Pakistan’s team selection. Pakistan had a disappointing tournament, failing to qualify for the semi-finals. In a recent local show, Zaka Ashraf claimed that he tried to make some changes to Pakistan’s squad before the World Cup, but captain Babar Azam supported his players and disagreed with the proposed changes.

Ashraf resigned from the position earlier this year, and Mohsin Naqvi was subsequently appointed as the PCB chairman.

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Rashid Latif blasts Zaka Ashraf for runing Pakistan cricket

Rashid Latif, in his show “Caught Behind,” criticised Zaka Ashraf for dividing the Pakistan team. Latif strongly disagreed with Ashraf’s recent claims about Babar Azam and stated that it was not Babar’s responsibility to select the team.

“Who brought him (Shan Masood) as (Test) captain? Who removed Babar Azam (from captaincy)? Who divided the Pakistan team? So what is he (Zaka Ashraf) doing at this juncture? Giving interviews?” Latif said.
 

Rashid Latif criticized Zaka Ashraf for placing all the blame on Babar Azam. Latif added that the decision to remove Babar Azam as captain and appoint Shan Masood created divisions within the team.

“He (Zaka Ashraf) is lying (on claims that Babar Azam did not agree to changes in the team). Who had the responsibility to make a team? Zaka Ashraf or Misbah-ul-Haq? Choosing a team was a job of the selection committee”.

“The selection committee had the responsibility to choose the team and they are blaming Babar Azam. You deliberately tried to remove Babar Azam and that’s why, the team has been ruined. You appointed Shan (Masood) the captain only for your gains and to break the team,” Rashid added.

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Rashid Latif continued his criticism of Zaka Ashraf, blaming the selection process for the role of PCB chairman. He believes that the chairman has too much power and lacks experience in the sport.

“Chairmanship 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. How can they change the captains straight away? These chairmen have been ruining (Pakistan cricket) for the last four years,” he concluded.

Pakistan recently faced a humiliating 0-2 defeat against Bangladesh in their Test series. Despite their superior record against Bangladesh in Test cricket, Pakistan were expected to win the series. However, Pakistan’s performance was below par in all departments, allowing Bangladesh to secure a historic victory. The defeat has further jeopardised Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Meanwhile, Bangladesh has moved up to the fourth position in the WTC standings, surpassing England and South Africa.

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