“Worst Cricket Board”: Former Captain Rashid Latif Blasts PCB Amid Historic Series Defeat

The fallout from Pakistan’s dismal performance in their ongoing Test series against England has reached a boiling point, with former national team captain Rashid Latif launching a scathing critique of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its chairman, Mohsin Naqvi.

Following a heavy 194-run defeat at Lord’s, which handed England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, the atmosphere surrounding the Pakistan camp has turned increasingly toxic. The visitors have struggled to offer any meaningful resistance, failing to surpass the 200-run mark in any of their innings, a performance that has led international pundits to brand the current squad as the “worst Pakistan side in the last 50 years.”

A Failure of Governance

While the spotlight has remained fixed on the players’ shortcomings, Latif argued that the internal rot at the PCB is the true catalyst for the national team’s decline. Speaking during a broadcast on Geo News, the former wicketkeeper-batter did not hold back, shifting the blame from the dressing room to the boardroom.

“Everyone is talking about the Pakistan team, and how it is the worst touring team in the last 50 years. But nobody is speaking about how the current board is the worst in the last 70 years,” Latif stated. “Nobody is talking about the worst selection committee and coaches. If you combine these issues, you will get the answer to your question. You will know who has ruined this team. Now you are losing consistently. This is the worst cricket board, that’s a fact.”

Batting Collapse and Babar Azam’s Woes

The primary cause of Pakistan’s misery has been a recurring batting collapse. The return of star batter Babar Azam for the Lord’s Test was expected to provide the team with much-needed stability, but the former captain found little success. Scoring only 8 and 6, Babar looked visibly uncomfortable against the short-pitched deliveries, particularly when challenged by Jofra Archer in the second innings. With the top order failing to fire, the bowlers have been left with little support, making the task of containing England’s aggressive lineup impossible.

Off-Field Distractions

Compounding the team’s on-field woes, the tour has been marred by off-field political friction. The Lord’s Test was overshadowed by reports that the PCB threatened to withdraw from the match if Sky Sports aired an interview with the sons of jailed former Prime Minister and cricket legend Imran Khan.

While the broadcast went ahead—featuring an 18-minute discussion on the former leader’s current legal circumstances—both team captain Babar Azam and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed distanced themselves from the controversy, claiming no knowledge of any threats to forfeit the game.

As Pakistan prepares for the final Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham, the team faces a daunting task: not only to prevent a series whitewash but to restore a modicum of pride in a shirt that is currently under immense scrutiny from fans, critics, and legends of the game alike.