'Education plays an important part' - Rashid Latif slams PCB chairman over dismal T20 World Cup performance

Pakistan's dismal performance at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 has led to immense criticism from former players and experts. Among the voices raising concerns is former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif, who did not mince his words while taking a dig at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and highlighting the importance of education in cricket administration.

The Men in Green failed to progress to the Super Eights stage. They finished third in Group A after losses against India and co-hosts USA. This early exit has prompted scrutiny of the team's preparation, selection, and overall management by the PCB.

Latif suggested that while there were reports of groups within the team, the root cause lies with the PCB's leadership.

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The attitude seems to have changed this time around: Rashid Latif

He pointed out that despite minimal changes to the squad from previous World Cups, the team's attitude and unity seemed to have changed this time around.

"If you turn the clock, go back in time, we played two World Cups, the one in Dubai (2021) and the one in Australia (2022), the team was almost the same, there have been 3, or maybe 4 changes this time around. The attitude seems to have changed this time around. Back in time, the Pakistan players were united," Latif said on his YouTube channel.

"I have always said that there are plenty of players who want to play, but the ones who are supposed to make the players play properly are missing and there is a glaring scarcity," Latif added.

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Latif emphasized the need for stability in the dressing room, which has been disrupted by constant changes in authority and coaching staff within the PCB. 

"The manner in which the dressing room feels and behaves, that is always the deciding factor. When there is a change in the higher authority/management, the coaching staff changes as well. It shouldn't be like that, the dressing room should remain stable. All the cricket boards, especially the Test-playing nations have prepared well for the T20 World Cup, except Pakistan," he added.

The former's harshest criticism was directed at the PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi highlighting the importance of education in cricket administration. 

"Education plays an important part that who is your chairman, who is he talking to," he concluded.

Meanwhile earlier, many media outlets reported that Pakistan head coach Gay Kirsten spoke about no unity in the side and that the team environment is not appropriate.

"There's no unity in Pakistan's team, They call it a team, but it isn't a team. They aren't supporting each other; everyone is separated, left and right. I've worked with many teams, but I've never seen such a situation."