Some selected players should be nowhere near the team: Rashid Latif

Cricketer-turned-expert Rashid Latif is unhappy with the Pakistan team’s performances in the ODI series against a second-string England side. The former wicketkeeper-batter also questioned a selection of few players in the national side, either owing to fitness and their lack of performance in the domestic circuit.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) copped a fair bit of criticism for roping in Azam Khan and Sohaib Maqsood in the team on the back of a few good outings in the sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Now, Latif feels that the chief selector Mohammad Wasim is not making the correct decisions or calling the shots.

Not only Latif but Ramiz Raja too felt that the team is not selected on consistent and good domestic performances. The 52-year-old also felt that some players who have been dropped were performing well in the national team.

“All the decisions are not taken by Wasim, I also tell him the same thing but he doesn’t agree with me. But I still have my doubts that some of the decisions are not taken by him. I won’t blame only Mohammad Wasim as I’m not satisfied with the entire selection committee. Some selected players should be nowhere near the side, while some players who have been dropped should be part of the team,” said Latif told Cricket Pakistan.

Rashid Latif opens up on few selection calls under Mohammad Wasim

Latif further opined that it was Wasim who was instrumental in bringing Hasan Ali back into the team after the bowler had endured a tough time due to injury and a dip in form. The former wicketkeeper-batter also stated that Nauman Ali, who made his Test debut against South Africa earlier this year was also one of the good decisions taken by selector Wasim.

“People don’t talk about but it was Mohammad Wasim who brought Hasan Ali back in Test cricket at a time when no one else was willing to take this chance due to his fitness. Similarly, Nauman Ali also did well in Test series against South Africa,” he said.

The 52-year-old further concluded by saying that the management made few blunders too by dropping Shan Masood and Yasir Shah, who had a decent run with the team.

“But on the other hand, there have been mistakes too such as dropping Shan Masood. After doing that, they also removed Shan from the centrally contracted players’ list which was another mistake. Also, Yasir Shah should not have been dropped for the Zimbabwe tour,” he added.