I like challenges and enjoyed the challenge of captaincy in the crucial stages of a match. During my captaincy period I feel that I performed below the standards I set for myself but a lot of that was down to the external pressure I was under at that time because I'm not a 'yes sir' type of man.

PakPassion.Net is proud to present an Exclusive interview with the former Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper Rashid Latif. He was best known for his electric wicketkeeping but with a test batting average of 28.77 he was also quite the all-rounder! Rashid Latif has kindly agreed to answer questions posed to him by PakPassion.Net members about his career and Pakistani cricket. We hope that you will all enjoy the interview.


The Pakistan Domestic Circuit

PakPassion.Net: Whom does he think are the top bowlers in domestic cricket in Pakistan with the ability to succeed at test level?
 

Rashid Latif: It has to be Fazl-e-Akber and Abdul Rauf.

PakPassion.Net: Whom does he think are the top three batsmen in domestic cricket in Pakistan with the ability to succeed at test level?
 

Rashid Latif: Misbah ul Haq, Hassan Raza and Faisal Ather

PakPassion.Net: What about the top three all-rounders for the future?
 

Rashid Latif: Tahir Mughal, Yasir Arafat and Kamran Hussain

PakPassion.Net: What changes would you make to Pakistani domestic cricket?
 

Rashid Latif: I believe the problems are down to a lack of funding, the entire setup needs more money.


The Future Stars of Pakistani Cricket

PakPassion.Net: Are there any uncapped players in particular whom you feel have a test future?
 

Rashid Latif: Pakistan fans should watch out for Shahzad Malik, Shahid Yousuf and Khalid Latif

PakPassion.Net: Should Hasan Raza be groomed into the Pakistan team sooner rather than later and does he struggle against pace or is that just a rumour?
 

Rashid Latif: This is the right time for him to return since he will be playing on Pakistani pitches and yes he does have a little problem in playing short deliveries.

PakPassion.Net: Have you heard of any of the following bowlers? Naved Arif from Sialkot, Sajid Ali from Lahore and Nasir Khan from Karachi.
 

Rashid Latif: I know Nasir Khan from Peshawar and Pak PWD personally.


The Pakistan Captaincy

PakPassion.Net: What was the main reason for you stepping down from the captaincy after? only 6 months?
 

Rashid Latif: Too much politics at the time.

PakPassion.Net: Rashid, you are 12th on the all-time list of 100 dismissals and 1000 runs in ODI cricket, and 23rd in that same list for tests, why? Do you think it's because in some of those tests you had to fulfill the captain's role as well? (Most of the 'keepers above you on that test list, had seldom or never had to captain their team).
 

Rashid Latif: You have to keep in mind that they all played over 50 test matches. I only played 37 tests in my 11 year long cricket career. I have no regrets and I feel proud about what I did for cricket. It's a long answer but I can't explain it here.

PakPassion.Net: Did you ever wish that you could do just the one. 'Keeping, that is, instead of having the extra burden of captaining? Or did you enjoy the challenge?
 

Rashid Latif: I like challenges and enjoyed the challenge of captaincy in the crucial stages of a match. During my captaincy period I feel that I performed below the standards I set for myself but a lot of that was down to the external pressure I was under at that time because I'm not a 'yes sir' type of man.


Wicketkeeping

PakPassion.Net: What do you think of the current/future crop of wicketkeepers coming through? What are your opinions on Kamran Akmal, Humayun Farhat, Mohammad Salman, Zulqarnain Haider, Adnan Akmal and Amin-ur-Rehman?
 

Rashid Latif: Kamran Akmal was one of my students and he is doing very well nowadays. Mohammad Salman has played with me for two years in Allied Bank and Humayun Farhat has also played under me for Allied Bank over two years. My personal opinion is that Mohammad Salman has the best wicketkeeping technique in Pakistan and Amin Ur Rehman is a very agile and talented new keeper with a great future ahead of him.

PakPassion.Net: Who was the hardest bowler to wicketkeep to?
 

Rashid Latif: When you're going through bad wicket keeping form then every bowler looks difficult, perhaps Aamir Sohail.

PakPassion.Net: Humayun Farhat doesnt look as if he will play again for the national side. What are your opinions of him and Zulqarnain Haider?
 

Rashid Latif: Zulqarnain is a good young batsmen wicket keeper but I think Amin Ur Rehman is better than all of the rest

PakPassion.Net: Who is the future keeper of Pakistan along with Kamran that you think can represent Pakistan??
 

Rashid Latif: Mohammad Salman and Amin Ur Rehman

PakPassion.Net: What is the most important skill to have as a wicketkeeper, and is it something that can be taught?
 

Rashid Latif: You need foot work, a good eye, to be flexible, use soft hands, be mentally strong and think positive

PakPassion.Net: What suggestions/advice would you have for a young keeper?
 

Rashid Latif: You need to work hard in the right direction. Believe in yourself and dont rely on others.

PakPassion.Net: You share some good wicket-keeper/bowler combination records with Wasim and Waqar, in ODI's. Please give me some ideas on who could break those records (not the 'keeper, because I hope they stick with Kamran for a good while) And would you mind very much if those records get broken What advice do you have for some of our younger guys such as Akmal or Zulqarnain?
 

Rashid Latif: I consider myself the luckiest wicketkeeper on Earth because I had the privilege of keeping to Wasim and Waqar during their peak. I dont believe in records, I believe the support of the fans and the public is far more important than any records. For me the most important thing is to play well in front of thousands of people.


Shoaib Akhtar

PakPassion.Net: What is the best way to manage/motivate shoaib akhtar because when you were in charge of the Pakistani team shoaib played well under you
 

Rashid Latif: Shoaib Akhtar is a great fast bowler, the fastest bowler on this planet. He's a great human being as well, I didnt have any problems with him at all during my captaincy. He only wants love and care.


About 'that' catch

PakPassion.Net: I am a big fan of yours and appreciate your talent and your services for Pakistan, what were you thinking when you picked the ball after it popped out of your hand...did you really think at that moment that you had possession of the ball long enough to claim a catch?
 

Rashid Latif: That was just an accident

PakPassion.Net: The match referee said, "You had picked the ball from the ground, after it popped out of your hand, and claimed a false catch" Didn't you try to explain to them your side of the story?
 

Rashid Latif: I explained it to the match referee but a five-match ban was very harsh.

PakPassion.Net: I have the clip of that catch; when you picked the ball from the ground, after it popped out of your hands, you were facing the batsman, most of the close-in fielders and the leg umpire too...how is it that they said that you tried to cheat? I am still baffled when I see that clip?
 

Rashid Latif: At the time I was unsure and I told my fellow players 'I think this is not out' but some players told me this is out


Personal Questions

PakPassion.Net: You are a NED graduate right? Which batch and dept? I also did my Engineering from NED batch 97-98 computer systems.
 

Rashid Latif: 1987 batch in civil

PakPassion.Net: Can you tell us a little bit about Malir Gymkhana and your association with the club? Many of us do not know much about the club but it has given us quite a few stars such as yourself and Younis Khan. Can you also name some other stars that have played for the club?
 

Rashid Latif: Malir Gymkhana was established in 1963 by Agha Shelly. Malir Gymkhana has produced some great international and domestic players like the 1st wicket partnership record holder Waheed Mirza, also Saeed Anwer, Younus Khan, Asim Kamal, Farhan Adil, Zafar Iqbal, Saeed Azad, Aamir Hanif who all played for Pakistan. Then there are players like Khalid Latif, Fawad Alam, Fahad Iqbal, Azam Hussain and Khurram Manzoor whom have represented Pakistan under 19's. Malir Gymkhana one of the best clubs in Pakistan.

PakPassion.Net: Rashid bhai, your brilliant catch as a substitute at Lords in 1992 started it all for us fans, followed by that 50 on debut in the final test. We've been hooked ever since! How did it feel to be a part of the Pakistan team for the first time?
 

Rashid Latif: It just felt normal, I really worked hard for this honour and I feel I deserved for play for my country

PakPassion.Net: Rashid, whats the story about your bet with Geoff Boycott, that you would score a 50 on your test debut, and how much did you win off him?
 

Rashid Latif: Geoffry met me during the last practice session before the 5th test and he asked me 'are u playing tomorrow?' I replied 'Yes I am playing tomorrow' Then he told me u cant make more then 35 runs, if u cross 35 runs then I will give u 5 pounds.


The Future of Pakistan Cricket

PakPassion.Net: In your opinion what are the most important things Pakistan need to do to become World Champions in 2007?
 

Rashid Latif: Always looking ahead to the World Cup is not the right criteria to analyse a team's performance, you should play good cricket throughout the year. Pakistani cricket's future is very bright because our young generation are only concentrating on one thing and that is cricket. That’s why our future is very bright.


What are your thoughts on...

PakPassion.Net: The greatest innings and bowling spell you ever saw Test and ODI?
 

Rashid Latif:Well it has to be..

* Wasim Akram & Waqar Younis in New Zealand & England
* Shoaib Akhter in Colombo
* Mushi in Australia and england

PakPassion.Net: Salam Rashid Bhai its Ghafoor (Alconbury-Peterborough): What has been the most memorable match you have been involved in?
 

Rashid Latif: Hi Gafoor I met u in Lashings match last year! My most memorable match was the 1996 ODI v England at Notts

PakPassion.Net: What has been the most spectacular dismissal that you remember?
 

Rashid Latif: Well for me it's...

* Andy Flower C Rashid b Waqar 0 Pindi 1993
* Jayasuria c Rashid b Wasim 4 colombo 1994
* Shahzad Malik c Rashid b Khalid Latif 2004 domestic

PakPassion.Net: What has been the worst match you have been involved in?
 

Rashid Latif: It was V sri lanka in 2002

PakPassion.Net: Rashid Bhai what are your opinions on the following players? Mohammed Wasim, Ali Naqvi, Zahid Fazal, Basit Ali, Salman Butt, Farhan Adil, Khaled Latif and Yasir Ali.
 

Rashid Latif: Well...

* Mohammed Wasim (A good player but Pakistan's bad luck)
* Ali Naqvi (A good player but needs a more positive attitude)
* Zahid Fazal (Not playing nowadays but a good player)
* Basit Ali (Good against average bowling, great against good bowling and a genius under pressure)
* Salman Butt (Great attitude)
* Farhan Adil (God gifted player, it's lovely to watch him when he plays)
* Khaled Latif (Good young and promising player along with shahid yousaf)
* Yasir Ali (Good tall bowler but needs more fitness)

PakPassion.Net: You Kept for Waqar Younis in early 90's and then Shoaib in 2001-2003, if u have to pick one then who would u pick as ur main Right Arm Fast Bowler in your team (If given a choice and why?)

Rashid Latif: Waqar Younis, he was simply the best. There is no need to describe why I am picking him.

PakPassion.Net: How high do u rate Aamir Sohail as a selector and how do u rate Wasim Bari as a selector?

Rashid Latif:Bari is very bad and Sohail is a little less bad than Bari. lol

Your Academy

PakPassion.Net: You've been working very hard with your academy and we've already seen a number of good players polishing their skills there and representing Pakistan at various levels. What do you think are the requirements for an academy in Pakistan that will genuinely benefit those that attend? What plans
do you have to expand your academy in the future?

Rashid Latif:Number one, true we have worked really hard at our academy and we have the biggest practice area in Pakistan almost 15 practice pitches. We also have more than 200 young players in our academy. Number two, the thing we lack in Pakistan is fair selection at every level. Most are not sincere with our country. We are not charging any money from the players that are at the academy and we are very serious on our committment. We are trying to find players from the street for high level… example Khalid Latif, Mohammad Sami and Younus Khan ..look there are so many Waqar Younis,Wasim Akram and Aamir Sohail's playing in the street but no one is trying to find them.. all willing to work in PCB Gaddafi stadium but no one is willing to find players from street …Pakistan trade mark in world cricket in (Street crickets)

PakPassion.Net: Now that a number of former players have started their own academies, do u think that these private academies should play a significant role or do you think that the PCB should invest its efforts in establishing their academies all around the country and provide sufficient facilities and support?

Rashid Latif:I dont agree with the academies working style here in Pakistan private or PCB academy doest matter …Private academies are taking money from the players, all know good players belong to lower middle class family they cannot afford money for cricket coaching and cricket gear. They (Academy) all make money from cricket coaching. Private academies are busy with posh family kids coaching at ground or at home. This is a waste of time. Pakistan Academy is doing work for 2-3 months period this is not good enough for one player…academy should be working around the year.

Coaching

PakPassion.Net: Would you take a coaching job for Pakistan? After all the water under the bridge, do you think you'd take such a job, even if offered? (having first-hand experience of internal politics and all) Will you put yourself through that grind again?

Rashid Latif:I do not think I would accept that job because the Pakistan team are the most talented side in the world they don’t need a coach…all depends how good is your captain. I think Inzi is doing well as captain and coach. I am working at grass roots level, all our coaches are looking for PCB jobs, as coach of region team or under 15, 17 & 19 level. I am happy with my academy.. I love my players they love me too. They need me as well that is why I cannot accept any job from authority.

Your Future

PakPassion.Net:Do you have any ambitions for holding any positions at the PCB? And what steps would you take to make the PCB a better organization?

Rashid Latif:I cant work under bureaucracy… I cant change the system and cant break this system but I can make my own system….

PakPassion.Net:What motivates you, now that you are not part of Pak squad ? Mashallah, you have had a good career and you are well respected - what more would you like to do ?
Are you hopeful of a comeback ?

Rashid Latif:I played my last match October 2003,, no I am not trying to play again for Pakistan.. time for fresh legs in the team Akmal is doing well behind and in front of the stumps, but I'll keep sending more Rashid Latif's in Pakistan team from my academy.