Latif under fire for series defeat

Less than five days after Pakistan's 1-2 defeat by England in the NatWest Challenge, the voices of dissent have already started against Rashid Latif, the captain, and the entire team management.

Imran Khan suggested that Latif wasn't a good bet as a long-term captain, and recommended a bowler or an allrounder as the next captain, as he would have a better understanding of when to bowl specific bowlers.

Speaking to reporters while on a visit to a cricket clinic at Peshawar, Imran opined: "We need to have a man who knows how to field the bowlers during the tough matches. The approach of the captain must be aggressive. He has to accept every challenge and should take bold decisions and should go all out for victory. The fighting and challenging approach is a key factor in crucial encounters," he said. "I accept the qualities of Latif as a wicket-keeper but as captain, he cannot run the team for longer duration."

Earlier, Aamer Sohail, the chief selector, had held Pakistan's team management responsible for the series defeat, saying that the inclusion of too many allrounders resulted in the losses. Latif refused to respond to Sohail's charge. According to The News, a Pakistan daily, Latif said: "I don't want to make any comments. It is for the board to look into this. The series is over and we were expecting such things. It is not a big surprise for us."

Reiterating the fact there was no lack of commitment from the team, Latif stated that he had no idea what had prompted Sohail's comments. "The defeat at Lord's was heartbreaking but we went down fighting and showed we can challenge any team.

"I didn't ask for the captaincy, but once the board gave me this responsibility I have tried to do my best with a team which is a blend of some experience and youth. I don't know why people are criticising my captaincy or want me out. It really does not bother me because they are also a lot of other people who have called me up and encouraged me and appreciated the hard work put up by the team."