Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif shouldn’t be allowed to play for Pakistan again, says Rashid Latif

Former Pakistan cricketers are known to make controversial statements. The country’s cricket board has found itself embarrassed with former batsman Basit Ali’s “India will deliberately lose their games to put Pakistan out” remark made during the recent cricket World Cup.

It has sought an explanation from Ali on the same and even held up his appointment as a regional coach. And now, Rashid Latif, another former Pakistan captain, and wicketkeeper has come up with a controversial opinion. According to him, the banned duo of Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif should not be allowed to play in the national team again.

Sharjeel and Khalid were handed five-year ban for their involvement in a spot-fixing scandal during the 2017 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). But 29-year-old Sharjeel requested the PCB for relaxation of his punishment and though it was turned down, he was asked to undergo rehabilitation. Sharjeel agreed to fulfill his plan for an early return to domestic cricket. He will finally make a comeback in August as half of his ban tenure (two and half years) has been suspended.

Sharjeel, a left-hand batsman, has played in one Test, 25 ODIs and 15 T20Is for Pakistan and has one century. He last played for his country in January 2017. Khalid Latif, on the other hand, is a top-order batsman who has played in five Tests and 13 ODIs and has two fifties. The 33-year-old made his debut for Pakistan in 2008 and last appeared for them in an international game in 2016.

Rashid Latif expressed his reservation over bringing the duo back asking what was the need. “What is the need to bring them back? We have already set the trend earlier and can’t afford more,” the 50-year-old was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Arysports.tv.

Rashid Latif was no stranger to controversy during his playing days either

Latif in his playing days was no stranger to bans either. In 2004, he was banned for six months by the PCB after he conceded a match while captaining his team Karachi in domestic cricket. He was also slapped with a fine of $25o for violating playing conditions. He had conceded the game when his team was placed at 40 for 4, saying the pitch was too dangerous for playing.

Even in September 2003, Latif was banned for five ODIs by the International Cricket Council for not playing a Test match against Bangladesh at home in fair spirit.