Rashid Latif slams PCB for destroying Pakistan cricket due to political interference

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif launched a scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), accusing it of bringing Pakistan cricket to the brink of destruction due to political interference.

Latif criticized the repeated influence of government-backed chairmen and former cricketers in administrative roles, arguing that their political maneuvering has derailed the progress of the national team.

The former captain pointed fingers at various PCB chairmen, including Najam Sethi, Ehsan Mani, Zaka Ashraf, and current chief Mohsin Naqvi, accusing them of prioritizing personal allegiances over merit-based decisions.

“Every chairman has surrounded himself with former players according to his own thinking, handing over cricket to them, and that is where the destruction began,” he stated on his official Facebook page.

He further alleged that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been mismanaged by unqualified individuals who have been securing their positions for years.

The former wicketkeeper also criticized the financial motivations of ex-cricketers, claiming that many seek roles in commentary, coaching, or TV analysis without contributing meaningfully to the sport.

According to him, PCB strategically places its preferred players on various media channels to deflect criticism and shield itself from accountability. “At one time, the PCB chairman claimed they wouldn’t entertain players who sit and talk on TV, yet they have now planted their own legends on screens to justify their mistakes,” he said.

Latif also denounced the inconsistent captaincy decisions made by successive PCB administrations, calling it a trend driven by political favoritism rather than strategic planning.

He highlighted how different chairmen appointed captains based on the recommendations of former players, with Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, and now Mohammad Rizwan all being shuffled in a short span.

Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan walks after losing his wicket, bowled out by India's Axar PatelReuters

“Every chairman came in with a political backing and made decisions accordingly. Players are merely pawns, and the chairmen act as ministers appointing their subordinates,” he said.

Tracing the downfall of Pakistan cricket to the removal of Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain under Ehsan Mani’s tenure, Latif argued that this marked the beginning of instability in the team.

He called for urgent reforms within the PCB, emphasizing the need to eliminate political appointments and restructure the board’s constitution. “For a long time, the government has been urged to stop political recruitments in the board and change the PCB’s constitution,” he said.

“Why does the cricket board even form a selection committee, and why does the chairman hold the power to appoint a captain? These fundamental flaws must be corrected immediately, or else Pakistan will soon start losing to Bhutan, too.”

Latif’s comments have reignited the debate on governance issues within the PCB, highlighting growing concerns over cricketing policies driven by personal interests rather than the betterment of the sport. His remarks add to the mounting pressure on PCB to undertake structural reforms and ensure decisions are made purely on merit to safeguard the future of Pakistan cricket.