"They know nothing about cricket" - Rashid Latif blasts this man after Pakistan's lacklustre performance

Ex-Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has blamed former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf for ruining the cricket in the country. Latif even claimed that Ashraf tried to divide the Pakistan team during his tenure.

Zaka Ashraf was the chairman of PCB from July 2023 to January 2024. During the ODI World Cup in India last year, Ashraf was PCB chairman and had a big role in Pakistan's team selection. Notably, Pakistan had a poor tournament as they failed to qualify for the semi-finals.

Recently during a local show, Zaka Ashraf claimed he tried to make a few changes in Pakistan's squad before the World Cup but the captain Babar Azam stood by his players and did not agree.

Ashraf resigned from the role earlier this year after which Mohsin Naqvi was appointed the PCB chairman.

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Rashid Latif blasts Zaka Ashraf after Pakistan's lackluster performance

While speaking on his show 'Caught Behind', Rashid Latif criticized Zaka Ashraf for dividing the Pakistan team. Latif was highly severe on Ashraf's recent claims on Babar Azam and stated that it wasn't Babar's duty 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 argued.

The former Pakistan wicketkeeper slammed Zaka Ashraf for putting all the blame of Babar Azam. Latif added that selecting Shan Masood as Pakistan's captain by removing Babar Azam created a rift 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," Latif said.

"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 Latif added.

Thank You Zaka Ashraf Saheb #PAKvsBAN pic.twitter.com/GO8NjvPSPT

— Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) September 3, 2024

Rashid Latif blasts the selection process of PCB chairman

Latif did not stop here and blamed the selection process for the role of PCB chairman. He reckons that there is too much power in the chairman's hands and they do not have any experience with 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," Latif continued.

"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 added.

Pakistan recently suffered a humiliating 0-2 defeat at the hands of Bangladesh. The Men in Green were expected to win the series given their superior record over Bangladesh in Test cricket.

But Pakistan were below-par in all the departments as Bangladesh clinched a historic win. The defeat has further dented Pakistan's chances of making it to the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Meanwhile, Bangladesh have moved to the fourth spot, above England and South Africa.