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Rashid Latif, the ex-Pakistan cricketer and coach, strongly criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and team management, accusing them of undermining players and prioritizing their own interests by potentially slashing player salaries.
Reports suggest that PCB is contemplating a reduction in salaries, with proposed cuts from 60 lakh PKR to 40 lakh PKR. This move risks player discontent, possibly leading to reluctance in signing future central contracts.
Rashid Latif criticizes PCB for workload management issues and salary reductions.
There’s ongoing controversy surrounding the issuance of NOCs by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), notably with Naseem Shah being denied permission to participate in The Hundred 2024. Now, the PCB is reportedly reluctant to grant NOCs to senior players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi for Canada’s T20 league, citing concerns over workload management and player fitness to ensure their readiness for national commitments.
In response to these developments, Rashid Latif criticized the PCB, accusing them of masking their failures and questioned their decision to sideline Naseem Shah during the T20 World Cup 2024 under the guise of workload management. The former wicketkeeper-batter asserted that the PCB is manipulating the concept of workload management to the detriment of players. He pointed out that previously, players were expected to perform on challenging pitches without such considerations, condemning the PCB for exploiting this shift.
Latif also condemned the PCB for restricting players from gaining exposure in overseas leagues, using Shah’s case as an example of how they risk hindering a player’s development by limiting their opportunities on both the national and international fronts.
Rashid Latif foresees a backlash from players against PCB soon.
Rashid Latif told Dr. Nauman Niaz on his YouTube channel: “There are not many games for Pakistan in this window, so it will be interesting to see how many bowlers play against Bangladesh, as the PCB might have to manage Shaheen Afridi’s workload as well. So, it is a little difficult for PCB to keep the players with such treatment.
Apart from this, there are some rifts among the players as well. In the future, this decision will have to pay off a little. If the boys have made a mistake, they will have to pay. The board will have to do it as well. It’s not that easy to stop the boys.”
Meanwhile, Rashid Latif has expressed reservations regarding PCB’s handling of workload management, highlighting concerns over the efficacy of the medical panel. He criticized the panel’s track record, citing players’ reliance on overseas treatment and accused the PCB of using workload management as a cover-up for deeper issues.
Rashid Latif accuses PCB of selfishness.
Additionally, Latif raised doubts about the medical panel’s ability to effectively handle Pakistan players’ workload, citing their struggles in diagnosing and treating injuries. He noted the panel’s infrequent interactions with players and highlighted that players often seek rehabilitation elsewhere following injuries.
Latif launched another attack on PCB by saying, “They are plotting against players, saving themselves by covering potential future issues, which is very selfish of them. Agenda driven.”
