By Mirza Iqbal Baig
KARACHI: Former Pakistan cricket captain Rashid Latif has said that seeing Shoaib Malik in action reminds him of former captain Salim Malik who was a shrewd captain and a great batsman. In an exclusive chat with Daily Times here Wednesday, Rashid, who led Pakistan in 6 Tests and 25 one-day internationals, said Shoaib played a classical innings in the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi. “Shoaib batted just like Salim. And I hope he is going to get the same fame and respect that Salim achieved as a batsman and captain in international cricket.”
Rashid, who played 37 Tests and 166 ODIs in his career spanning over 11 years, said cricket lovers did not take too much interest in the Abu Dhabi series. “In my opinion only 20 percent of people watched the three ODI’s.”
He said the national team played brilliantly in the first two ODIs but the team’s below par performance in the last contest had put a question mark in the minds of cricket lovers.
The former captain was all praise for the national selection committee and said that things went according to the plan of the selectors. “Salman Butt and Yasir Hameed performed well on their return to the team. Now the selectors will have some more time to chalk out future plans for the youngsters,” he said. Rashid suggested that seeing the disappointing performance of Kamran Akmal the selectors should give chance to young wicketkeepers like Sarfaraz Ahmad and Mohammad Salman in the camp so they can be groomed for the future assignments. “We should not waste talented Kamran by playing him in every series and every tournament. He needs some rest from international cricket and in this way he can focus on himself.”
Replying to a question, Rashid said during the off-season the PCB should work on the players for improving their fielding standard. “The board should hire the services of Pakistan’s best fielders of domestic and international cricket.” He said that Wajahat Ullah Wasti, Ejaz Ahmad Junior and Mohammad Nawaz’s services can be hired as these players were the outstanding slip fielders in their playing days. And to improve ground fielding, former cricketers Shoaib Mohammad and Sajid Ali are the best choices to coach the youngsters,” he concluded.
Source: Daily Times
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