Pakistani outcast makes fresh start (2 November 1998)

2 November 1998

Pakistani outcast makes fresh start

by Kevin Tutty

A key figure in the Pakistan cricket match-fixing controversy arrived in Christchurch yesterday to continue his quest to return to his country's senior team.

Leading Pakistan A on its tour of New Zealand is another step in Rashid Latif's bid to regain a place in the senior team that he says he lost because of his honesty.

Latif was ostracised two years ago when he supported allegations of match-fixing against other members of the Pakistan team, including Salim Malik, Wasim Akram, and Ijaz Ahmed.

He was dropped from the Pakistan team along with Aamir Sohail, the other player to support the allegations, but has not lost hope of regaining a regular spot in the national side.

A wicket-keeper, Latif has played 22 tests and 101 one-day internationals. His best batting is 68 in tests and 58 in one-dayers.

He hopes his form leading Pakistan A on its tour of New Zealand will earn him selection in the top team to play three tests and five one-day internationals against India early next year.

Latif would say little about the match-fixing allegations after his arrival in a dismal Christchurch yesterday.

Asked if his honesty had cost him his place in the national team he replied: "Yes."

The allegations are the subject of a high court inquiry in Pakistan at present, and Latif said that he gave evidence last month.

"We are still waiting for the result of that inquiry, but I am hopeful that I will be vindicated."

This is Latif's fourth tour to New Zealand. It was on his second tour in 1994 that some of the match-fixing allegations arose.

Pakistan comprehensively won the first two one-day matches against New Zealand, but lost the fourth at Christchurch, a match that was the subject of fixing allegations.

A bowler in that team, Ata-ur-Rehman, recently gave details of how the match was allegedly fixed. He claimed he had been offered money not to bowl to his field placings.

Latif found himself back in favour earlier this year and toured South Africa and Zimbabwe with the national side, but has been out of action for six months since then with a neck injury.

This is his first tour as captain of Pakistan A and he is confident the team will be a match for the New Zealand sides it will meet - the national academy, the conference teams, and New Zealand A. The tour starts at Lincoln tomorrow with a two-day match against the academy. The tour concludes with a four-day match and three one-dayers next month against New Zealand A.

Latif says he will be in charge of a well balanced side, even though it contains a 16-year-old and two 17-year-olds.

"We have a very good bowling attack - three of the bowlers have played for Pakistan - and our batting is strong too."

Ten of the team have played for the Pakistan senior side which will make it a formidable opponent.

There were two late withdrawals from the side. Hasan Raza, who was 14 when he made his test debut in the 1996-97 season, and Arshad Khan have been replaced by Mohammed Hussain and Mohammed Taimur Khan.

Pakistan's games in the conference tournament are against Northern at Timaru from November 11 to 14, against Southern at Hagley Oval from November 16 to 19, and Central at Blenheim from November 23 to 26. Its matches against New Zealand A are in Hamilton and Mount Maunganui.

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)