The PCB on Wednesday announced the men’s squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, resting five senior members including skipper Babar Azam. Along with Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman, fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf will also miss the series in UAE next week.
Rashid Latif said, as quoted by Cricket Pakistan –
“Our players are featuring in ICC rankings and winning awards after a long time. Babar and Shaheen won ICC awards. They [PCB] couldn’t digest it. They said we won’t let it happen and now we are here and will take decisions.”
Regardless, the absence of senior players from the team has drawn some sharp reactions from fans and former cricketers alike, and former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif had an explosive remark on the same. Latif attacked the selectors after the team was announced, insisting that it was ‘destroying’ Pakistan cricket.
Latif added – “Those who never took rest and are 70 or 80-year-old and need to rest, are now deciding the fate of Pakistan cricket. You can say rest in peace Pakistan team. Our team is now resting in peace.”
Latif further said –
“When you bring new players, you break a team combination. Some new players, who are selected, will perform in the Afghanistan series, so will they bring back the senior players back with lesser strike rate. Media will also put pressure on them. This is the first step towards destroying Pakistan team.”
