'I told Rahul Dravid he was not out' - Rashid Latif recalls 1996 ODI between India and Pakistan

Rahul Dravid, the former batsman is undoubtedly one of the best that India has produced in its cricketing history. He was not a hard-hitting batter like Virender Sehwag but his impeccable made him the best. However, he also had to face some wrong decisions from umpires during his career. And, Rashid Latif, the former player threw light on one of the instances that happened in 1996 during an ODI between India and Pakistan.

He said that Mushtaq Ahmed bowled a brilliant delivery against Dravid and appealed for caught behind only to be adjudged out by the umpire. But the Indian batsman had never edged the ball and Latif recalled that when Dravid asked him if he was really out. The former Pakistan skipper then told him that it was Mushtaq’s habit to appeal and he was never out.

“They played against us in Sharjah. Rahul, unfortunately, was caught behind. Mushtaq Ahmed bowled a delivery and made a huge appeal. We appealed alongside him, he was given out. After the match, Dravid asked ‘was I out’, and I said ‘no, brother, Mushtaq tang karta hai bohot (It’s Musthaq’s habit to appeal),” Latif said in a YouTube show ‘Caught Behind’.

As for the match, Dravid was dismissed only after scoring three runs in the 272-run chase. Despite Sanjay Manjrekar and Nayan Mongia scoring half-centuries, India could only reach 233 losing the game by 38 runs.

Rashid Latif recalls Rahul Dravid’s debut

Meanwhile, Rashid Latif also recalled Rahul Dravid’s debut series in 1996 when he and Sourav Ganguly, who also debuted with him, batted exceptionally well. Dravid had then scored 95 runs while Ganguly had slammed 131 to help take the first-innings lead. Latif praised the duo stating that they played really well in the overseas conditions.

“Both Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly had made their debuts in England and incidentally we were also there at that point of time in 1996. We met with the entire team when the Prime Minister invited us for lunch. I met these two young cricketers. They both played well,” Latif asserted.