Latif resigns as Pakistani captain

Rashid Latif has resigned as Pakistan's captain ahead of the forthcoming series against South Africa but has confirmed his availability as a player for the series.

As captain, Latif had been at odds with the PCB ever since he wrote an open letter to the ICC in August, warning of the continued menace of match-fixing. Tauqir Zia, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, had earlier expressed his displeasure with Latif, particularly after he was involved in a controversy over claiming a catch after grassing it.

After Latif's resignation, however, Zia said in a statement: "He was brought back into the national team as he was and is still considered as the best wicketkeeper in the country. It was because of that respect and regard that Rashid Latif was made the Pakistan captain after the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup. He is an honest person who has led the side extremely well, and I would be sorry to lose such a cricketer and a man of integrity who knows best himself when to say goodbye to cricket."

A report in The Dawn, a Pakistani daily, alleged that Aamer Sohail, chairman of selectors, "expressed his unhappiness to the PCB chief after Rashid had developed differencs with him over selection matters in the recent Test series against Bangladesh."

Latif's reputation as the "Mr Clean" of Pakistan cricket took a blow when he was banned for five one-day matches, following a disputed catch in Pakistan's one-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the Multan Test. It was an incident that led Zia to demand that he showed more maturity.

"Latif is holding a responsible position and fair play from him is necessary," said Zia earlier. "He has been giving statements to the media. He wrote directly to the ICC, all of which violate our code of conduct. And he keeps on doing it."

Latif retired from international cricket after Pakistan's 1994-95 tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe, following some fishy goings-on involving the then-captain Salim Malik. He made a surprise return to lead the team in 1997-98, and inherited the captaincy for the second time after the 2003 World Cup, following the sacking of Waqar Younis.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, who led Pakistan to a 5-0 victory against Bangladesh in Latif's absence, is the favourite to succeed him. Latif himself said: "Inzamam played superbly under pressure and continued his form into the one-day international series. He played one of his best ever innings for Pakistan at Multan. He is completely committed and fit and I will like him to continue the captaincy against South Africa."