I cannot work with players punished for fixing: Latif
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KARACHI: Former Pakistan cricket captain Rashid Latif said on Tuesday he turned down the job of national chief selector because he could not work with ex-players tainted by corruption.
The 45-year-old, who famously blew the whistle on match-fixing in 1994 and 1995, last week refused to take up the chief selector's post with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Corruption, match-fixing and spot-fixing allegations have dogged Pakistani cricket for two decades and Latif said he could not work with tarnished ex-pros.
“I have my principles, which do not allow me to work with players who were punished for match-fixing in the past,” Latif told AFP.
Latif refused to name anyone but appeared to be making a dig at former team-mate Mushtaq Ahmed, who has reportedly been offered a role in the national cricket academy.
Ahmed was among six Pakistani internationals fined by a judicial commission in May 2000, following Latif's allegations.
The commission under Lahore high court judge Malik Qayyum also censured leg-spinner Ahmed and recommended he not be given any office of responsibility in the team or on the board.
Against International Cricket Council advice, England employed Ahmed as a spin bowling coach in 2010.
Latif said the PCB should have zero tolerance of corruption.
“Any players suspected or punished in the past have no business working for the PCB in any capacity, and since I know that more than one player were offered jobs in the PCB I stayed away from it,” said Latif, who played 37 Tests and 166 one-day matches for Pakistan.
Latif also refused the role as head of the anti-corruption unit in the PCB.
“I wanted to purge the game in Pakistan but when I saw that unwanted elements were there I turned down the job.”
Pakistan is the country worst-hit by match-fixing in cricket, with three of their top players -- Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir -- serving five-year bans for spot-fixing.
Leg-spinner Danish Kaneria is serving a life ban imposed in 2012 by the England and Wales Cricket Board for spot-fixing in a county match.
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Comments (65) Closed
Apr 15, 2014 06:13pm
PCB needs men like Rashid Latif, who can resist the temptation of power, and realise the importance of responsibility instead. Mushtaq should not be given any place in the cricket board. Principled men in Pakistan are increasingly rare.
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Apr 15, 2014 06:14pm
Rashid Latif is extremely unprofessional and unstable. Even if he did accept the position, he would have threatened to resign on a daily basis. That is his track record. He has never stuck to a position longer than 15 minutes.
He says he can't work with ex-players who were punished for fixing. Yet he had no problems playing with and under the same set of players 2000-2003!! His good friend Inzamam-ul-Haq who he played with post-2003 was also fined by the same inquiry.
Apart from that, Mr Latif needs to present proof. In Pakistan, seems like there are no libel laws. Mr Latif has accused every player out there of fixing without proof. Yet when someone like Danish Kaneria has been found guilty by British courts, he sees a conspiracy behind it. Mr Latif needs to get his head examined and look up hypocrisy in the dictionary. Conspiracy theories work well in Pakistan but not so much in the rest of the world.
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Apr 15, 2014 06:17pm
I totally agree with Rashid Latif. I wish there were some more honest and principled people like him in our institutions. I would replace Sethi with Rashid Latif in no time. But I know Nawaz Sharif does not value people like him therefore he has no chance. In the end , I want to congratulate Rashid for his guts and honesty.
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Apr 15, 2014 06:23pm
You are really Great, the only one of my thoughts. This is the way to permanent strengthen the game of cricket in Pakistan.
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Apr 15, 2014 06:24pm
He should not have to work with such corrupt people, BUT what does that say about the PCB...who is full of corrupt people, what happened to the statement made only 2 months ago? We will only pick on merit...Yeah Yeah Yeah, and i am a Martian from out of space!!
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Apr 15, 2014 06:24pm
He should not have to work with such corrupt people, BUT what does that say about the PCB...who is full of corrupt people, what happened to the statement made only 2 months ago? We will only pick on merit...Yeah Yeah Yeah, and i am a Martian from out of space!!
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Apr 15, 2014 06:35pm
It is very nice that he refused the offer, but can he stop the mach fixing by Pakistan team ? 99 % are corrupt.
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Apr 15, 2014 06:36pm
I salute your courage to say no despite all worldy temptations,
Pakistan is getting short of people with such heavenly traits
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Apr 15, 2014 06:36pm
Excellent decision by Rashid Latif to ignore and reject the offer of a top PCB position on principles. How many people in cricket we have like him? I leave the answer to the enlightened, enduring, excelling and educated readers and writers of this great DAWN forum?
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Apr 15, 2014 06:48pm
The stand which R Latif takes is credible, but it can not be implemented at full force in one stroke as corruption has been crept in Pakistani societies and now cricket industry. Latif alone can not correct the affairs when there are yes men in circle.
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Apr 15, 2014 06:54pm
Rashid Latif has a strong point.
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Apr 15, 2014 06:54pm
Rashid has double standards, for once he is backing Kaneria who is also band for same crime and on the other hand, opposing Mushi who was not charged for the crime, but only under suspicion was suggested by a tainted-judge Qayyum Malik. either he is wrong Mushi or he is wrong on Kaneria...
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Apr 15, 2014 06:57pm
Lame excuse by Rashid, Mushtaq Ahmed was pivotal part of England success and helped them to reach No. 1 position. Swan and KP is always full of praise for Mushtaq consider him as a mentor.
Since Mushtaq, Pakistan has struggled to find a genuine leg spinner and we are also exposed while facing second tier leg spinners like Amit Mishra and Imran Tahir. Inclusion of Mushtaq in coaching staff will help Pakistan over both problems
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Apr 15, 2014 07:14pm
Pakistan Cricket needs more honest & sincere people like Rashid Latif. True man of principle.
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Apr 15, 2014 07:26pm
@Bilal Ijaz:
Agree with you 100%. Rashid Latif is a nut job, trying to portray a holier than thou persona... Total nut job!
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Apr 15, 2014 07:31pm
@Bilal - Playing with a player who is selected by a committee is different than managing that committee.
I am sure Rashid Latif is not very famous in circles that promotes nepotism and corruption.
Stay strong Rashid. Someone has to show Najjam S. the true face of PCB.
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Apr 15, 2014 07:31pm
Rashid Bhai you are great and your decision yet again reflects your principled approach towards match fixing and corruption. I think you should never take any job with any organisation infested with political corruption like PCB, instead just keep up the good work you are doing in your academy.
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Apr 15, 2014 07:50pm
Thanks God there are still some people who live with their principals. I I always admired Rashid when he was playing in the field. I solute him when he is out of the field. Thank you Rashid
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Apr 15, 2014 08:05pm
When they can fix elections in the country, anything is fixable. :) First punctured Pakistan now cricket. Good luck, Mr. Sethi, in finding anyone honorable to work with you.
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Apr 15, 2014 08:11pm
Rashid Latif is not true Pakistani.
If you are not corrupt, how can you be a Pakistani?
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Apr 15, 2014 08:18pm
Rashid Latif has no place working in Pakistan. We are one of the most corrupt nations in the world. Zardari and Sharifs rule us.
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Apr 15, 2014 08:20pm
I have nothing but admiration for Rashid Latif. Wish we have policemen, teachers, lawyers and Judges like him. People who make negative comments about him should go get their moral compass checked again. Only a corrupt mind will question Rashid Latif motives. Bravo, Rashid Latif, I could not be proud of you with your latest decision. More power to you.
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Apr 15, 2014 08:22pm
The thing is Mushtaq Ahmed has changed since then. All people make mistakes, I remember Rashid Latif falsely claiming catch vs Bangladesh in odi and was banned for 5 matches.
Its time to forgive and forget. I'd rather have Mushtaq Ahmed than Rashid Latif. Mushy is very simple andso cheerful now. He commands the respect of all the England players. They have even said Mushy is a great team man and good person to be around when chips are hard.
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Apr 15, 2014 08:23pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad:
" I leave the answer to the enlightened, enduring, excelling and educated readers..."
Do us a favor. Don't show off by telling us you are a doctor of some sort. This is the biggest problem in our culture - status symbolism and belittling the not so educated people.
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Apr 15, 2014 08:53pm
Hats off Rashid, You the man with principles and dignity.
Pcb need people like you.
Salute
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Apr 15, 2014 09:13pm
PCB and Pakistan needs more people like Rashid. God bless you for your stance!
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Apr 15, 2014 09:21pm
"Rashid Latif For Prime Minister Of Pakistan"
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Apr 15, 2014 09:23pm
@Ahmed:
This is his principled stand and everyone knows he has zero tolerance for match corruption. He just don't want to be part of status quo. So live with it...
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Apr 15, 2014 09:23pm
Well done Rashid Latif, god bless you.
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Apr 15, 2014 09:34pm
Unfortunately you will not be able to handle with ICC too because there ICC Chairman has been involved with match fixing.So better for you not to be involved in cricket.
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Apr 15, 2014 09:35pm
@Bilal Ijaz: I totally agree with you; if he shows such a high values now then why he claimed 'the catch'.. it seems he just accepted the offer to be in the news and by declining it he gets more attention now..
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Apr 15, 2014 10:17pm
Why the hell is he supporting and pleading Danish Kaneria's case then.And why did he play as a team mate with all the players who were tainted for so many years.
Like any one else in the modern world he sells himself as a brand and his brand is holier than thou. Being a selector would not help his brand.
A lie is a lie and cheating is cheating. whether claiming a false catch as a captain of the team desperate not to lose to Bangladesh or trying to bowl no balls to make a quick buck.Dishonesty is not relative
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Apr 15, 2014 11:03pm
I don't know why he creates controversy over nothing. He is not the purest of the player and even if he is, then this is not a strong reason to quit. You are suppose to do your job and fight with the system if something is wrong, not just quit like cowards. Everything is not perfect. You got to make things right, at-least you got an opportunity to set thing correct, their is a certain domain and jurisdiction of your own personal task and you should be more concerned about that, even if Mushtak Ahmed did some fixing in past then that doesn't justifies not taking any help from his CRICKETING skills! Cheap shot Mr. Latif. I guess you only like criticizing on the media but when it comes to that tough work at the grass root level you make excuses.
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Apr 15, 2014 11:12pm
If you want to clean up the system, you need to get in and clean from within!! Simply whinning and criticizing wont bear any fruit.
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Apr 16, 2014 12:58am
He can only bring about a change and blow more whistles by taking the offer; but he also turned down the anti corruption unit job. How can he make a difference by turning down the positions?
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Apr 16, 2014 01:50am
We have a Few MPs here in the UK like Maria Miller who was forced to resign her job as she claimed falsely and fraudulently on her mortgage. perhaps she could come over and apply for a job in Pak ?
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Apr 16, 2014 01:59am
According to Latif
"Any players suspected or punished in the past have no business working for the PCB in any capacity"
If a player has only been suspected in past and nothing was proved against him them why should he have to suffer just because someone suspected him of wrongdoing? Isn;t it supposed to be "Innocent Until Proven Guilty"
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Apr 16, 2014 03:16am
I do not agree with most of the readers, neither do I agree with Rashid Latif. He should've accepted the position and work on grooming players, corruption etc while staying in the position. Once you are at a position it is easier to identify the root causes. No matter how capable you are but if you are not in the setup you won't be able to apply your vision or expertise from outside.
There is a saying which applies when you are not in power (naqar khanay mein tooti ki awaz kon sunta hai). Hope he made the right decision for himself and the betterment of cricket, which to me seems far from right. God bless!
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Apr 16, 2014 03:33am
Salute you Mr Latif! A man who stood by principal. That is what we need to move forward.
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Apr 16, 2014 04:30am
Rashid Latif is true cricket lover... and any cricket lover would do the same... unfortunately we have very few people like him in Pakistan
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Apr 16, 2014 06:54am
Rashid Lateef has shown time and again that he is a man of principles.
Najam Sethi, on the other hand, is a big disappointment.
How can Najam Sethi engage people who were forbidden by the Justice Qayyum Commission to even come close to Pakistan Cricket?
PCB should be de politicized.
Najam Sethi has no credibility or experience or merit to head PCB.
Najam Sethi should go back to his Ittefaq Nama, and start working on his credibility from there
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Apr 16, 2014 08:10am
I salute you Rashid Latif.
Your stance suggests that Pakistani society in general and Pakistan cricket in particular, still have men of principles.
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Apr 16, 2014 09:09am
Latif chose the honourable way. Very few people left like him who pay the ultimate price. Pakistan cricket is dead in water. Time to give the Stadiums to Bharia Town so they can make Plazas and Hotels to make money for the Establishment.
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Apr 16, 2014 10:21am
@Akram:
100% agree - only comment for Rashid is that he lives and works in a country where 90% of politicians (leaders) are corrupt, thieves and have 0% honesty/creditability - He should either consider moving out of Pakistan or should consider running for the office - He will have my vote
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Apr 16, 2014 11:03am
Mr. Latif is being acclaimed by masses for turning down the offer but for me this is just self righteousness that needs to be overcome if RL wants to serve for Pakistan cricket. talking about judicial recommendation let me remind you that what Malik Qayoom perpetrated was bigger crime than Mushi,s. so let us first asses how credible that judicial commission was before preaching their recommendations.
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Apr 16, 2014 12:08pm
Rashid has bitter experiences in past. I remember he played a match winning innings in Third ODI vs England, in return he was dropped from the team. These kind of memories compel people take such decisions. Honorable Chairman PCB is requested to come forward and assure Rashid for independence he is demanding for in front of media. He is, in my opinion, the best choice for such kind of posts. A true patriot, professional, methodological, honest, hard working, experienced, highly talented and above all himself very high quality cricketer. Rashid you are also requested to accept such offer just for the sake of Pakistan Cricket.
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Apr 16, 2014 01:52pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad:
Dear, i often read your comments especially on cricket, irrespective of your today's opinion, your comments often lie beyond any logic....instead of showing your English language skills,its better to improve your logic.........don't mind please
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Apr 16, 2014 03:36pm
@Bilal Ijaz
Wonderful comments and there is little left to add.
If the likes of Mushtaq Ahmed are his real problem then based on just a reprimand you can
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Apr 16, 2014 04:08pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad
Yes, many readers here may be
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Apr 16, 2014 04:13pm
Congratulations, Rashid
We admire and appreciate your stand. Keep it up.
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Apr 16, 2014 04:24pm
With all respect Mr. Latif. If you are equipped with such honesty and sincerity to rightfulness. Why don't you take up this challenge and turn your phrases into means & measures to topple PCB corruptions within!? What are you so scared of?
Remember: You need to be in the system to change the system!!
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Apr 16, 2014 06:32pm
@Ayesha Khan:
In his limited power he is trying. Imagine, if most people refuse to do wrong, society will clean up itself. YOu don't need to be a head of an organization to fix it, or be a policeman to stop the crime. If everyone individualy correct one's standards, the society will flush out wrongs automaticaly.
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Apr 16, 2014 06:36pm
@Sarah:
Are you suggesting he should give in to these corrupt officials for the sake of his profession?
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Apr 16, 2014 06:39pm
@Bilal Ijaz:
it sounds like one of your loved one is very hurt with his standing on the issue. Please don't bring Inzamam into this, as he himself said NO to a similar position offered to him from Lahore. How about Ijaz Ahmed, lets make him a Chief Selector....I am sure you will agree...Playing with and working with are TWO DIFFERENT situations....I am sure you know that if you know what WORK IS.
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Apr 16, 2014 06:43pm
@kash:
I don't get it, since when have we started making ENGLAND as a benchmark of Dignity, honesty and respect. They will sell their mother to get something in return they can not have legally.
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Apr 16, 2014 06:44pm
@Simple Simon Says:
what? you can not find these words in the dictionary.
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Apr 16, 2014 11:16pm
@Syed:
I agree- well said. But will Rashid Latif gets enough power to change the system.
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Apr 16, 2014 11:20pm
@adnan:
Rashid did not name Mushraq or anyone else. How can you be so sure he is pointing at Mushtaq. May be he is hinting at Aamir, wasim Akram or Waqar Younus. The list is too long.
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Apr 17, 2014 11:14am
If couragous people like Rashid Latif would not join PCB, then who will curb corruption in Pakistani Cricket and who will improve the performance of the team???
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Apr 17, 2014 03:46pm
@Bilal Ijaz:
No thought in your comment. He is taking a principle stand. He should be appreciated. People like you and me, it would have been difficult for us to refuse this lucrative job
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Apr 17, 2014 03:52pm
@Malik:
For your record Mushi was found guilty... a lot of facts were hidden in that report. He was fined, why would anyone get fined if he is not guilty.
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Apr 17, 2014 03:53pm
@adnan:
Agreed it will help resolving the problem that you mentioned but will raise other bigger problems that Pakistan team cannot afford
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Apr 17, 2014 03:55pm
@Ghazanfar:
Ask yourself, are you making sense. Why would anyone not accept such a lucrative offer.
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Apr 17, 2014 07:52pm
I am not a keen follower of cricket but am amazed that a journalist like Najam Sethi has been made chairman of PCB. Obviously his close relation with PM Nawaz Sharif has worked in his favour. Wonder he can ever criticize Nawaz Sharif on his TV talk show where he acts like a political pundit.
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Apr 18, 2014 09:07pm
@Dr. Sehar Khan:
If you want to c honest PM u shud have civil war. u have 2 clean every one
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