KARACHI: The protracted dispute between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and former captain Rashid Latif was resolved on Saturday after the former skipper “unconditionally” retracted his earlier statements about the board.
The row began when Latif suggested that Mohammad Rizwan’s removal as ODI captain was linked to the custodian’s public support for Palestine. His comments led the PCB to file a complaint with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
As a result, Latif was summoned to appear before an investigating officer at the NCCIA office in Lahore on November 17.
The former batting wicketkeeper later moved the Islamabad High Court against the investigation, calling it illegal.
Latif wrote a detailed public apology to X, stating that his comments were not intended to implicate any player, board member or stakeholder of wrongdoing.
“I am writing in reference to my recent comments made on social media and in interviews regarding surrogate advertising. My main allegation was regarding possible violations of the advice on such advertisements issued by the Government of Pakistan,” Latif wrote.
“At no point, whether unintentionally or intentionally, did I ever seek or intend to implicate any person, including players, board members or other stakeholders in illegal actions,” he added.
Latif further acknowledged that he made an “unwarranted reference” to Rizwan’s support for Palestine as a possible reason for his removal from the Pakistan ODI captaincy, further admitting that his assumptions were not supported by any credible evidence.
“However, despite my intention to refrain from political commentary or unverified speculation, I acknowledge that I made an unwarranted reference to Mohammad Rizwan’s public support for Palestine as a possible factor in his removal from the leadership.
Latif concluded by apologizing to the general public, especially the PCB, and promised that his public commentary on cricket affairs would be measured and evidence-based, as he described himself as an “advocate” of responsible broadcasting and investigative journalism.
“I deeply regret any distress or offense my comments may have caused to the general public, or more specifically, to Pakistan Cricket and its officials. I sincerely apologize for any unintended harm caused by my comments, which I retract unconditionally and assure that no such harm was ever intended,” Latif said.
“I am an advocate of responsible broadcasting, investigative journalism and objective analysis. Having had the honor of serving as the captain of the Pakistan national cricket team, I hold the country’s reputation and dignity in the highest regard and would never deliberately act in a way that could bring it into disrepute. I strive to engage in public discourse that is just and fair.”
In response to his public apology, former PCB chairman Najam Sethi defended himself but deleted the post after Mohsin Naqvi called his comments “totally misguided, misguided and practically inaccurate”.
“[Najam Sethi]your comments are completely misguided, misguided and inaccurate,” Naqvi wrote on X, accompanied by Sethi’s now-deleted tweet.
The current PCB chairman further emphasized that the cricket board’s action against Latif was not to silence her criticism but instead to “counter” the spread of false and defamatory allegations.
“The PCB’s action against Rashid Latif was never about silencing criticism, it was about dealing with the deliberate spread of false and defamatory allegations. Our procedures remained fully within the law and focused solely on protecting the integrity of Pakistan cricket and its players,” Naqvi explained.
He also said that the PCB welcomed Latif’s apology, reiterating that the board members are committed to “protecting” Pakistan cricket and its assets.
“Rashid Latif apologized in his tweet today, clearly confirming the board’s stance. We welcome his apology and offer a clean slate,” Naqvi said.
“We are not using any other means to silence those who criticize the Board. We are protecting Pakistan cricket and its assets.”
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