Rashid Latif meets with PCB chairman

Rashid Latif met with Shaharyar Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, in Karachi on Saturday to put forward his views on the six-month ban he received for forfeiting a domestic match.

Latif was banned for conceding a Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match against Faisalabad last week when he declared with his side, Karachi Blues, tottering at 33 for 4 on what he terme a dangerous pitch. The hour-long meeting followed extensive correspondence between Latif and Shaharyar Khan on the issue.

While Latif accepted the decision he made violated the regulations, he had argued that he at least deserved the right to explain his case before any punishment was dished out. But Shaharyar said after Saturday's meeting that he had "informed Rashid Latif that his door was always open and assured him that no prejudice was held against him by the PCB". He went on to say that he would consider the points raised by Latif when he returned to the office later this week.

The chairman's statement seems to be part of a continued effort by the PCB to temper largely unflattering press coverage in Pakistan, which has largely been critical of the their treatment of Latif in banning him alone - and not punishing his team for the decision.

On Friday, Latif said he had sent a legal notice to the PCB to contest the six-month ban. And, despite today's meeting, the chances of legal action being initiated could remain high, if Latif continues to refuse to attend the appeals committee that Shaharyar had set up to hear the case. Latif told Cricinfo on Friday: "I am not going to appeal, especially in this ad hoc set-up. I want to have this ban removed legally because the procedure the PCB undertook is illegal. I will argue that the ban is illegal."