Rashid Latif goes nuclear, attacks Pakistan pacers after loss to Bangladesh: "They’re carrying injuries"

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif reckons that Pakistan's fast bowling resources are at a declining rate. Latif was highly concerned about the drop in pace of Pakistan's fast bowlers in the first Test against Bangladesh at Rawalpindi.

Despite playing in the subcontinent, Pakistan decided to go with four fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, and Mohammad Ali. The pacers started by bowling close to 140 kmph but their pace dropped significantly as the match went on.

The difference in pace was clearly visible and Bangladesh's batters hardly faced any tough time facing the quicks. As a result, the visitors posted a mammoth 565 in their first innings, taking a lead of 117 runs.

Also read: Shan Masood’s place in Pakistan team in danger, sensationally claims Ramiz Raja

Rashid Latif feels Pakistan's fast-bowling resources are declining

While speaking to Cricbuzz, Rashid Latif remembered the time when Pakistan used to produce world-class fast bowlers who made the team invincible at home. However, he said that the invincibility is gone now.

"There were days when defeats against a team like Bangladesh would rankle, and shock us. We were a formidable team and it was not easy to beat us. In 2003, they came close to beating us thrice in three Tests. We ended up winning the series 3-0. The aura of invincibility at home is gone. We have lost five in the last nine games at home," Rashid Latif told Cricbuzz.

The former Pakistan wicketkeeper further mentioned that pace used to be Pakistan's strength at one time but the team does not have any bowler currently who can bowl at a high pace consistently.

"The world knows that pace used to be our strength but our top fast bowlers no longer bowl at breakneck pace. It was the root cause of the defeat yesterday (at Rawalpindi on Sunday). Their speeds have come down drastically.

"If they are carrying injuries, they should reveal that. Shaheen (Afridi), Naseem (Shah), and Khurram (Shahzad) started off with pace of 145. They all have come down to 130," Rashid Latif said.

Rashid Latif blames Pakistan's trainers and physios for the drop in pace

Rashid Latif further put the blame on the team's physios and trainers for not working properly with the country's fast bowlers. He gave the examples of some bowlers whose pace hasn't gone down even after returning from the injuries.

"Our trainers and physios are to blame. If you look at a Jofra Archer, he comes back after two years of hiatus but does not lose a yard in his pace. Same with Jasprit Bumrah -- he comes back from an operation and bowls with the same velocity. Pat Cummins... he was out of cricket for a long time due to injury."

"When he came back, he did not show any signs of slowing down. Why are our bowlers slowing down? Obviously, our support staff is not doing a proper job. A bowler of 144 kmph speed has come down to 128 kmph," Latif added.

Rashid Latif on Shan Masood's early declaration

The former captain also spoke about the much talked about early declaration from Pakistan captain Shan Masood. Pakistan were 448-6 when Shan Masood decided to declare. Latif believes it cost some useful runs for Pakistan and lost them the game.

"There was no need to declare (at 448 for six) - they should have aimed for 550. Falling 100 runs short ultimately made the difference. (Mohammad) Rizwan was unbeaten on 171, and Shaheen was also batting well on 30 (29).

"Those 100 extra runs cost us the game. Bangladesh, on the other hand, read the conditions well and outplayed Pakistan. They wore down the Pakistani bowlers and then capitalized," he concluded.

With this win, Bangladesh have gone 1-0 up in the series. Both teams will face each other once again in the second Test from August 30 on the same ground. Bangladesh will be looking for a historic Test series win while Pakistan will be aiming to end the series on a high.

The win has also pushed Bangladesh to the sixth spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table, above South Africa and Pakistan.