March 21, 2003	Friday	Muharram 17, 1424

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LAHORE, March 20: Pakistan captain Rashid Latif vowed on Thursday he would play cricket for one more year.

Rashid said that he accepted the offer of captaincy as a challenge while talking to reporters at Gaddafi Stadium.

“Yes, the rebuilding of the Pakistan team is a challenge for me. And the task is possible and not impossible,” he said.

The 34-year-old wicket-keeper/batsman admitted that though the axing of seniors players was a hard decision yet it was taken in the best interest of Pakistan cricket.

“The senior players are talented and they had done good work for Pakistan team. But now it is time to test fresh blood,” he said.

Rashid emphasised his prime mission was only to serve the nation and during his captaincy he would try to prepare a strong team and a wicket-keeper which could be either Kamran Akmal or any one else.

He said he had opted for retirement after the World Cup but the new responsibility given to him forced him to change his decision.

Rashid was all praise for Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan, whome he termed as a good all-rounder and who deserved a place in the team much earlier.

He called Taufiq Umar the best find of the year  and added left-hander opener should have played in all matches of the World Cup.

To a question, Rashid said that Razzaq was included as there was no substitute of him at the No 6 spot when the playing eleven was discussed with the selection committee.