[EXCLUSIVE] "Babar Azam should leave captaincy": Rashid Latif

[The Bald Eagle]

Over the past year, Pakistan's men's cricket team has been exposed across all three formats. They were knocked out in the group stages of both the ODI and T20 World Cups, suffering losses to Afghanistan and the USA respectively. Additionally, they were whitewashed at home in a Test series against Bangladesh. This period is arguably one of the lowest points in Pakistan's cricket history.

To discuss where Pakistan cricket is going wrong, Saj is joined by former Pakistan captain, Rashid Latif. The former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter also shares his thoughts on the ongoing Champions Cup in Faisalabad, Babar Azam's dip in form, and much more.

Highlights of the interview include:

1. His views on Babar Azam's dip in form
2. Pakistan's Test series defeat and how Pakistan cricket can be resurrected
3. Importance of finger spinners in Test cricket
4. Why, in his view, gym training is hurting Pakistan pacers

 

[Cricket Warrior]

I dont think a spinning track would have saved Pakistan either as Bangladesh is known for their spin attack and they play in these conditions on their home ground through out the year... so i think spin friendly wicket could have easily led Pakistan to an innings defeat against them.

 

[BouncerGuy]

I agree with Rashid about Babar Azam. He should stay away from captaincy. He is attracting too much hate for that irrelevant thing. Leave captaincy and focus on what he can do best and that is to bat and work hard for Pakistan.

Finger spinners?? Well, Pakistan has not got many. Even if Pakistan makes spin-friendly tracks, it might not much difference because Pakistan is so bad in each format atm. Recovery will take time.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Babar should rightly be relieved of the burden of captaincy as it is taking a toll on his performances. Infact not only captaincy but too much limelight is hurting him too.

On PCB being in ICU, this is what actually happens when a patient is treated by a quack surgeon rather than a qualified doctor.

 

[pakistani pride]

Babar should rightly be relieved of the burden of captaincy as it is taking a toll on his performances. Infact not only captaincy but too much limelight is hurting him too.

On PCB being in ICU, this is what actually happens when a patient is treated by a quack surgeon rather than a qualified doctor.

Forget everything, Babar first need to sort out his fitness, it is pathetic.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Forget everything, Babar first need to sort out his fitness, it is pathetic.

Fitness is not even on anyone's priority list.

 

[Shafi]

Pakistan team is finished unfortunately. This team will be beaten by other teams including associate teams regularly. There is no talent at all. It will get worse with time.

 

[Saj]

I've been saying this for a long time - too many Pakistani players prioritise captaincy over everything else.

Babar needs to focus on his batting and form and forget about captaincy for the time being.

I don't think captaincy is for him. He is a fine batter who does not need to be captain to prove his value to the team.

I really don't get this obsession from Pakistani players about wanting to be captain.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

I've been saying this for a long time - too many Pakistani players prioritise captaincy over everything else.

Babar needs to focus on his batting and form and forget about captaincy for the time being.

I don't think captaincy is for him. He is a fine batter who does not need to be captain to prove his value to the team.

I really don't get this obsession from Pakistani players about wanting to be captain.

This obsession is taking the entire cricket down.

 

[pakistani pride]

Fitness is not even on anyone's priority list.

So that is the whole issue, even a working person can maintain decent fitness level/ body shape. These guys are paid professionals and still are unfit.

 

[BouncerGuy]

The whole world is screaming that Babr should get out of this captaincy race and focus on his primary role which is batting but Babar is not hearing a world. PCB has no brain so to tell them something is a no-brainer.

Babar should think about this sensibly and leave this race behind. His form with the bat is more important because we know, he is not a captaincy material.

 

[Shafi]

As expected Naqvi is just a puppet and don't have any say to these players. Don't expect ICC will choose captain and players if PCB can't. So its up to Babar and co to decide whether the want to play or not.

 

[Saj]

Captaincy becomes a matter of pride for Pakistani players.

It's almost like they can't give it up as it will make them lose face.

Their mindset seems to be, to hell with my performances or career, as long as I am captain that's all that matters.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Rashid Latif, Pakistan's former captain, shared his thoughts on a YouTube podcast:

“Pakistan cricket is currently in the ICU. They will need a professional doctor. They need technically sound professionals to run things, both physically and financially. Trainers and many other things are required. You can see there are many problems, whether it’s on the field or off the field.”

“We need to remember that he (Babar) was removed forcefully as captain. When the mind is not functioning correctly, it affects the nerves as well. You try to play hard on every ball. He should let go of the idea of being a captain and focus on freeing himself from mental pressure.”

“The issue seems to be more about mental stress than technical performance, and it’s apparent that he is struggling to cope with a significant amount of mental pressure.”

 

[ask_analyse_act]

I've been saying this for a long time - too many Pakistani players prioritise captaincy over everything else.

Babar needs to focus on his batting and form and forget about captaincy for the time being.

I don't think captaincy is for him. He is a fine batter who does not need to be captain to prove his value to the team.

I really don't get this obsession from Pakistani players about wanting to be captain.

may be Imran khan fascination is making them to daydream...

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Captaincy becomes a matter of pride for Pakistani players.

It's almost like they can't give it up as it will make them lose face.

Their mindset seems to be, to hell with my performances or career, as long as I am captain that's all that matters.

even in the past when Wasim was made captain... Everyone wants a piece to be the captain...
Aamir, Ramiz, Malik , Waqar , Moin and Rashid.. all of them were running at it when clearly Wasim was the best captain that time with an eye for talent.. Until Inzi became captain and the rest retired , it was keep going one after the other..

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Rashid Latif, Pakistan's former captain, shared his thoughts on a YouTube podcast:

“Pakistan cricket is currently in the ICU. They will need a professional doctor. They need technically sound professionals to run things, both physically and financially. Trainers and many other things are required. You can see there are many problems, whether it’s on the field or off the field.”

“We need to remember that he (Babar) was removed forcefully as captain. When the mind is not functioning correctly, it affects the nerves as well. You try to play hard on every ball. He should let go of the idea of being a captain and focus on freeing himself from mental pressure.”

“The issue seems to be more about mental stress than technical performance, and it’s apparent that he is struggling to cope with a significant amount of mental pressure.”

Sorry but it's difficult to get the team off the ventilator as long as guys like Kamran Ghulam would be irrationally ignored.

 

[gazza619]

As expected Naqvi is just a puppet and don't have any say to these players. Don't expect ICC will choose captain and players if PCB can't. So its up to Babar and co to decide whether the want to play or not.

Whose puppet is Naqvi?

 

[Saj]

even in the past when Wasim was made captain... Everyone wants a piece to be the captain...
Aamir, Ramiz, Malik , Waqar , Moin and Rashid.. all of them were running at it when clearly Wasim was the best captain that time with an eye for talent.. Until Inzi became captain and the rest retired , it was keep going one after the other..

Yes I can't think of any international cricket team where captaincy is fought over so much.

Captaincy is an obsession for too many Pakistani players.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Finally Babar has listened to the sound advice of Rashid Latif. Hopefully, this would turn out to be good for him and the team.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Don’t give hosting rights to Pakistan in future if India refuses to travel for the Champions Trophy

As per the International Cricket Council (ICC) guidelines, all teams are required to participate in ICC events hosted by any member nation. This is not new. Pakistan recently travelled to India for the 2016 T20 World Cup and, more recently, for the 2023 ODI World Cup. Last year, the then Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Najam Sethi consulted the Pakistan government, and when the ICC cleared the security situation, the team was given the green light to play in the ODI World Cup. The big question isn’t why India is refusing to come to Pakistan but on what grounds is it unwilling to play in Pakistan. I feel the PCB’s questioning of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is completely valid.

This is not a bilateral tournament. If India doesn’t come, it should face consequences. I can’t speak on behalf of the PCB, but I believe that moving forward, the ICC should refrain from awarding Pakistan hosting rights if this is the outcome. The PCB should also take a firm stand if India refuses to play in the Champions Trophy. My issue is with the ICC. If India was never going to travel to Pakistan, why did it award Pakistan the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy? Pakistan now has the upper hand because it has travelled twice recently for ICC events, while the BCCI is in a difficult position. If security were a concern, then the ICC should make that determination. If other nations consider the security adequate, then I don’t see India’s problem. This appears to be politically motivated, especially given that some state elections are coming up in India.

My main concern is the divide this scenario is creating between the younger generations. It is already significant. Tensions between the two countries have always existed, but India and Pakistan have played bilateral cricket in the past. I remember the 1978-79 series when India came to Pakistan. Sunil Gavaskar scored brilliant centuries in both innings and despite his extraordinary effort, India lost the Karachi Test by eight wickets, losing the series 2-0. In that series, the legendary Kapil Dev made his debut in Faisalabad. The current generation on both sides of the border would relish seeing Virat Kohli and Babar Azam playing Test cricket in Delhi and Lahore.

The ICC is the only entity benefiting from this divide, profiting from India and Pakistan matches in the UK, Australia, and now the US, claiming that it’s to grow the sport’s popularity. But what about the fans in India and Pakistan who can’t afford to travel abroad? Don’t they deserve to watch these matches in their home cities?

India-Pakistan cricket is like a theatre. I can only appeal to the Indian cricket board to allow India to come and play. There may always be political tensions between our countries, and it affects both sides, but please, let cricket be something that can bridge the divide. If you look back, whenever there was a bilateral series between the two nations, leaders in New Delhi and Islamabad would come together at the time. Be it Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Nawaz Sharif, or Manmohan Singh, they didn’t interfere with cricket, seeing it as an opportunity to unite people. Now, electoral politics has taken centre stage in both countries, and anti-India or anti-Pakistan sentiments have turned into votes.

I have heard comments that the ICC is indirectly controlled by the BCCI. I don’t believe in this notion. It’s actually the broadcasters who dictate terms. They want to cash in on the hype, which is why India and Pakistan are placed in the same group in every ICC event.

The PCB should make a strong case that they will also boycott ICC events hosted in India if India refuses to travel to Pakistan. India is set to host at least three or four ICC events (both men’s and women’s) in the next seven years. These are significant events, and Pakistan should use this leverage to ensure that if India doesn’t travel to Pakistan, it would likewise boycott events in India.

Backdoor diplomacy may be a final option, but for now, the ball is in the ICC’s court. There is no reason why India shouldn’t travel to Pakistan. But if the team doesn’t, as I mentioned earlier, the ICC should no longer award hosting rights to Pakistan.

SOURCE https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/india-pakistan-icc-champions-trophy-9672681/

 

[FearlessRoar]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1862423460980371772

 

[BouncerGuy]

Sure why not. PCB should definitely be working for the betterment at grassroots level.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1870682947138814313