Latif fears demoting Younus will set bad example

Youngsters won’t take Test cricket seriously, says former captain.


Nabeel Hashmi June 10, 2014
Rashid Latif opines that Younus Khan’s demotion to B category was unacceptable. PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: Former captain Rashid Latif revealed that he and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Director Game Development Haroon Rasheed had agreed on giving Younus Khan an A category contract before Latif decided against taking up the post of chief selector.

The Express Tribune has received the document containing the names of the cricketers and their respective categories that was sent by Rasheed to Latif, who approved it.



According to the list, the A category players were Misbahul Haq, Younus Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi and Junaid Khan. Meanwhile, in the new contracts designed by current chief selector Moin Khan, Zakir Khan and Mohammad Akram, Younus has been demoted to B category. “The PCB’s treatment of Younus will discourage players to take Test and first-class cricket seriously,” said Latif. “They will only concentrate on one-dayers and T20Is, which will be disastrous.”

Additionally, the B category had only Umar Gul and Ahmed Shahzad, whereas the new one comprises Younus, Shehzad, Umar Akmal and Gul.

Similarly, the C category players approved by Latif were Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Bilawal Bhatti, Azhar Ali, Sharjeel Khan, Adnan Akmal, Zulfiqar Babar, Khurram Manzoor, Mohammad Talha, Abdur Rehman, Nasir Jamshed and Anwar Ali.

There was no D category or stipends in the previous understanding, and only 22 players were to be awarded contracts, but the new contracts see the numbers soar to 31 with the D category as well.

“Younus has won a lot of Test matches by doing well in fourth innings, which is very difficult. I failed to understand why the PCB demoted him when it was clearly agreed with Rasheed that he will be in A category,” concluded Latif.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2014.

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COMMENTS (4)

baby doll main sone di | 9 years ago | Reply

i was surprised he even got a contract and shahid afridi who has retired more times than he has won man of the match awards.

Realist | 9 years ago | Reply

Rashid Latif should not be allowed to comment on anything related to cricket. He has been the biggest disappointment this year. His comments and critique hold no value since he backed out of the job of national coach for the Pakistani team. Reasons and pre conditions dont matter when you re being handed such a huge responsibility. All talk and no action makes Rashid Latif a lucy boy!

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