Report: Anand Vasu report of Rashid Latif’s announcment of retirement fro Test cricket

Anand Vasu27-Nov-2002Experienced wicketkeeper and former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif todayannounced his retirement from Test cricket. He hopes however, that hecan still command a place in the one-day side.
Rashid Latif
Photo © CricInfo
When contacted, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could not confirmLatif’s retirement from the longer version of the game. However, Latifpersonally notified certain members of the media of his decision byemail.Suffering from a neck injury recently, Latif has been in Johannesburgreceiving treatment and physiotherapy. Having recovered sufficiently,Latif was given a clean bill of health by the doctors at the PCB.Latif’s recent replacement, young Kamran Akmal has impressed with bothhis glovework and batting. Equally comfortable keeping wickets to bothspinners and pacemen alike, Akmal has won the appreciation of severalpundits.With Latif’s retirement from Test cricket, it is widely believed thatthe Pakistan selectors will persist with Akmal in Tests while stickingwith Latif in the one-dayers.The situation however also gives a glimmer of hope to Moin Khan who isplaying domestic cricket in Pakistan at the moment.Latif, who played 34 Tests in his career spanning over ten years ledPakistan on three occasions. A safe, if not flashy keeper, Latif chalkedup 102 catches and 10 stumpings from his 34 Tests. A useful lower orderbatsman, Latif came to Pakistan’s rescue more than once, scoring onehundred and six fifties in reaching 1277 runs at an average of almost30.Latif retired from all forms of cricket once in 1995 due to administrative problems with the Pakistan cricket set up but later reconsidered his decision.