Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif has hit out at Pakistan captain Babar Azam following Pakistan’s disappointing Test outings against England, slamming Babar’s response to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s surprise changes to the squad and coaching setup. Pakistan slumped to a heavy 194-run defeat in the second Test at Lord’s, prompting the PCB to make major changes ahead of the third Test in Birmingham. The board decided to release seven players. Moreover, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also removed. Meanwhile, Latif believes that Babar should have resigned as captain in support of the players and coaching personnel who were shown the door.
“Babar should have resigned here. Half of the team has been sent back home. If I were in his place, I would have given up the captaincy. You have become a dummy captain. There's a difference between a leader and a captain,” Latif said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Latif also wondered as to how much authority Babar actually possesses when major decisions are being made within the country's cricket administration.
“You have sent seven players back. Imam, I understand, was injured. But still, you are sending six players back. You sent back your coach, your mentor. The coach who won the Champions Trophy. You sent Umar Gul back. You aren't standing up for your team. Your coach has been sidelined, and you are sitting quietly. It shows that the PCB always needs a dummy captain,” he added.