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| November 21, 2005 | Monday | Shawwal 18, 1426 |
Rashid Latif calls for Bell ban
FAISALABAD, Nov 20: Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif, whose career was hastened to an unceremonious end due to a five-match ban in 2003, has called on the ICC to impose a similar suspension on England batsman Ian Bell.
Part-time bowler Bell took one wicket on the first day of the second Test against Pakistan.
His victim was Mohammad Yousuf who scored a superb 78 in Pakistan’s 300 for four before falling to a contentious caught and bowled.
Yousuf stood his ground for a while after his drive was picked up low by Bell. TV replays suggested the ball may have clipped the ground as the catch was completed.
Umpires Darrell Hair and Simon Taufel at square leg did not consult the TV umpire and Bell’s appeal for a catch was upheld.
“Two years ago the match referee ended my career because he felt I had claimed an unfair catch off the ground against Bangladesh. I want to see what they do with Bell,” Rashid said.
Wicket-keeper Rashid, who played 37 Tests and 166 ODIs, was captain in the home series against Bangladesh in 2003 when he was banned for five ODIs.
Match referee Mike Procter imposed the ban after Rashid claimed a diving catch to dismiss Alok Kapali.
After the ban, Inzamam was appointed in Rashid’s place and retains the post. Rashid faded away after playing in one more one-day series, against South Africa a month later.
Rashid said: “You look at the TV replays and it is obvious that Bell has claimed an unfair catch. The ball touched the ground while he was completing it and he would have known about it.”
He said the match referee Roshan Mahanama should impose the ban to give a clear message there was no bias over imposing ICC rules.
Yousuf only trudged back after being called by Bob Woolmer as the umpires conferred.—Reuters
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