Rashid says he’ll quit after World Cup
‘I’ve played enough cricket for Pakistan and am content with what I’ve achieved’
By Waheed Khan
KARACHI: Pakistan’s former captain and one of the most adept stumpers has decided to set new precedents in Pakistan cricket.
Last month Rashid Latif announced his retirement from Test cricket, saying he was not able to sustain the rigours of five-day cricket after his career was blighted by a serious back and neck injury. And on Wednesday he told ‘The News’ he also intended to retire from One-day Internationals after the World Cup.
“In Pakistan cricket there are few examples of players leaving when it is the best time for them so that they are remembered positively. I feel I’ve played enough cricket for Pakistan and am content with what I’ve achieved and also my contribution towards making the cricket authorities worldwide and in Pakistan realise that match-fixing was indeed a reality,” Rashid said.
“I don’t want to keep playing for the sake of money and pride. If you can’t give 110 per cent to your team mentally and physically, it’s better to say goodbye. My ambition was to make the World Cup squad for which I am very motivated and looking forward to doing well. By the grace of God my ambition has been fulfilled and I’ll try not to let anybody down. I’m ready for the challenge and I know I can deliver in every area of the game.”
Rashid has to date played 34 Tests scoring 1,277 runs at an average of nearly 29 and taking 102 catches and executing 10 stumpings. His record in One-day Internationals is: 143 matches, 1,352 runs, 149 catches and 34 stumpings.
“The World Cup is a big challenge because everybody is writing us off on the basis of our recent performances. But I know that if we play as a unit we can go all the way. We’ve the class, experience and motivation to do well.”
The veteran keeper, who led Pakistan in 1998, said the players owed their countrymen a good performance in the World Cup. "The PCB chairman and sponsors have been kind enough to announce cash incentives for us for winning the World Cup. But what greater motivation do you need than playing for the title of world champions?
“The players who’ve made the final squad should consider themselves lucky.”
Rashid said he had no differences with his biggest rival for a spot in the team, Moin Khan. “Moin and I have played a lot of cricket together. His brother Nadeem is a very close friend of mine. I’ve always felt whoever has performed has been in the Pakistan team. And fortunately for the team, whoever has been in the team has always tried to give his best. I’m a true professional and consider him one also. You can’t talk about Pakistan cricket without talking about Moin’s contributions.”
He said that initially he had decided to put on hold a decision to also retire from ODIs after the World Cup, but said then he had different thoughts. “I want to go out when the going is good. I can say I’ll play as long as my fitness permits. But apart from fitness it is also about self-satisfaction and degree of motivation for the game.”
He added that after the World Cup he would focus on his cricket academy project that had done well so far. “I want to establish it on permanent lines and on its own land. I see it as my contribution to Pakistan cricket in future.”
Insisting he was very interested in coaching assignments and working closely with the youngsters, Rashid said he wanted to leave after making the World Cup a memorable swan-song.