Experienced wicketkeeper and former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif today
announced his retirement from Test cricket. He hopes however, that he
can still command a place in the one-day side.

Rashid Latif Photo © CricInfo
|
When contacted, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could not confirm
Latif's retirement from the longer version of the game. However, Latif
personally notified certain members of the media of his decision by
email.
Suffering from a neck injury recently, Latif has been in Johannesburg
receiving treatment and physiotherapy. Having recovered sufficiently,
Latif was given a clean bill of health by the doctors at the PCB.
Latif's recent replacement, young Kamran Akmal has impressed with both
his glovework and batting. Equally comfortable keeping wickets to both
spinners and pacemen alike, Akmal has won the appreciation of several
pundits.
With Latif's retirement from Test cricket, it is widely believed that
the Pakistan selectors will persist with Akmal in Tests while sticking
with Latif in the one-dayers.
The situation however also gives a glimmer of hope to Moin Khan who is
playing domestic cricket in Pakistan at the moment.
Latif, who played 34 Tests in his career spanning over ten years led
Pakistan on three occasions. A safe, if not flashy keeper, Latif chalked
up 102 catches and 10 stumpings from his 34 Tests. A useful lower order
batsman, Latif came to Pakistan's rescue more than once, scoring one
hundred and six fifties in reaching 1277 runs at an average of almost
30.
Latif retired from all forms of cricket once in 1995 due to administrative problems with the Pakistan cricket set up but later reconsidered his decision.