KARACHI, July 29: The Pakistan Cricket Board said on Tuesday that Rashid Latif would remain captain until the tour of New Zealand early next year.

Having recently announced that the 34-year-old wicket-keeper would be captain for next month’s home series against Bangladesh, Tauqir said on Tuesday he would be allowed a longer run in the job.

“Rashid is our captain until the tour of New Zealand in December-January 2004 and we have no intention of dropping our rebuilding policy after the World Cup,” Tauqir said.

“We have decided to give the captain, coach and players a run of three to four series against Bangladesh, South Africa and New Zealand in the rebuilding process,” he added.

Meanwhile, Rashid called for sporting pitches for the coming home series against Bangladesh.

“The pitch should be equally good for batsmen and bowlers,” he said. “The wickets should be like that they should good, helpful for stroke play, assist pacemen and later on good for spinners as well.”

Rashid admitted that now being confirmed as captain for one year, his task would be to develop Pakistan into a strong side.

He said the rebuilding process of national team was heading towards right direction but said there was always a room for improvement.

He said boys are showing right attitude on and off the field.

“We are closely monitoring our weak areas and working on them,” he said.

Responding to a question about recalling experienced off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq after paceman Sami was ruled out of the Bangladesh series.

He said Saqlain had made unavailable for Bangladesh series but is keen to play against South Africa. “I will speak to Saqlain after the latest development.”

He said coming home international season will be important for us and reiterated that his team will not take Bangladesh lightly.

“They (Bangladesh) have done well against strong bowling attack of Australia,” he pointed out. “Our bowling is not as strong as Australia’s so we are not going to take them lightly.”

Commenting on Australian captain Steve Waugh statement that Bangladesh put up a better batting display than Pakistan and West Indies, Rashid said Waugh’s view was in context of Pakistan’s performance in Sharjah last October when the team was bundled out 59 and 53 in the final Test.—Reuters/APP