Saturday, October 05, 2019

Rashid Latif - Best Ever Pakistani Wicket Keeper

Rashid Latif selected for Pakistan on the strength of hist batting at the tour to England in 1992. He gained popularity on his controversial bet with Geoff Boycott to make Fifty on Test debut and he did so at the Oval. Another controversy earned more fame by announcing retirement in the middle of Pakistan tour to Zimbabwe in 1994-95 along with Basit Ali.

He suspects something fishy under the captaincy of Salim Malik on the South Africa tour. Rashid Latif was suspended for five matches for false claiming a catch during the series against Bangladesh, eventually resulted in his stepping down from captaincy and end of his career. Rashid Latif played ODI and Test Matches from 1992 till 2003 and served by leading Pakistan team in six test and 25 one-day matches.

The Karachi born BSC computer engineer retired from all form of cricket in 2006 when he played his last match for Lashings cricket club in England. Throughout his entire career he had to compete hard with another Pakistani wicket-keeper, Moin Khan. In those days, both are having tough competition to grab final spot in the team.

Rashid was steady wicket keeper and handy batsman. In 1998, he captained Pakistan cricket team, but his position went down a string of poor performances followed he was again left out of the team. Rashid Latif took up the job of Afghanistan batting coach but quit the job citing interference. His whole career plagued with controversies at each turn. Some legend believes, he was Pakistan best wicket keeper even better than Wasim Bari.
Rashid Latif - Best Ever Pakistani Wicket Keeper