'Who can do this' - Rashid Latif slams Pakistan team for hosting private dinner for fans amid T20 World Cup

The Pakistan cricket team has yet again found themselves in the middle of a controversy, this time for hosting a paid private dinner for fans during the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the United States. The players are being slammed by former stars and experts for hosting an unofficial private dinner party for the fans.

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper batter Rashid Latif expressed his disbelief at the Pakistan Cricket Board and players organizing a private dinner where fans could meet the national team by paying 25 dollars per person.

"There are official dinners, but this is a private dinner. Who can do this? It's terrible. That means you met our players in 25 dollars. God forbid, had there been a mess, people would have said boys are earning money," said Latif in a video posted on his X handle.

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Things were different at our time: Rashid Latif

Latif was joined by cricket TV personality Dr. Nauman Niaz in criticizing the money-making event as a sad state of affairs that calls into question the team's priorities during a major tournament like the World Cup. While charity and fundraiser dinners are common, Latif argued a private paid dinner purely for fan interactions is unacceptable, especially at such a low price point of just 25 USD. 

"People tell me that whoever calls the Pakistan players, they just ask, 'how much money will you give?' This has become common. Things were different at our time. We had 2–3 dinners, but they were official. But this is highlighted because it's the World Cup. So the players should be careful. The amount of 25 dollars shouldn't be blatantly used like this," Latif said.

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The controversial private dinner took place ahead of Pakistan's opening T20 World Cup match against the United States of America in Dallas on June 06. 

"You attend 2–3 dinners, but without the commercial angle. You can go for charity dinners and fundraisers, but this is neither fundraising nor a charity dinner. This is a private function with the name of Pakistan and Pakistan cricket associated with it. Don't make this mistake," he concluded.

Critics have slammed the Pakistani players and management for their apparent lack of judgment and potential distraction from preparing for such a marquee event.