KARACHI: The long-running dispute between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and former captain Rashid Latif was resolved on Saturday after the ex-skipper “unreservedly” retracted his earlier statements about the board.
The row began when Latif suggested that Mohammad Rizwan’s sacking as ODI captain was linked to the wicketkeeper’s public support for Palestine. His comments prompted 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’s Lahore office on 17 November.
The former wicketkeeper-batsman later moved the Islamabad High Court against the probe, terming it illegal.
Latif wrote a detailed public apology on X, saying his comments were not intended to allege wrongdoing by any player, board member or stakeholder.
“I am writing with reference to my recent comments on social media and in interviews regarding surrogate advertising. My main claim was related to potential violations of the warnings on such advertising issued by the Government of Pakistan,” Latif wrote.
“At no time, inadvertently or knowingly, did I ever seek or intend to implicate any person, including players, board members or other stakeholders, in wrongdoing,” he added.
Latif further acknowledged that he made an “unsubstantiated reference” to Rizwan’s support for Palestine as a potential reason for his dismissal as Pakistan’s ODI captain, and further admitted that his assumptions were not supported by any credible evidence.
“However, regardless of my intention to refrain from political commentary or unsubstantiated speculation, I recognize that I made an unwarranted reference to Mohammad Rizwan’s public support for Palestine as a potential factor in his removal as captain. On reflection, I recognize that this assumption was inappropriate, unfounded by any credible evidence.”
Latif concluded by apologizing to the general public, particularly the PCB, and vowed that his public commentary on cricketing matters would be measured and evidence-based, as he described himself as the “advocate” of responsible broadcasting and research-based journalism.
“I deeply regret any distress or offense my comments may have caused to the general public, or more specifically, to the Pakistan Cricket Board and its officials. I offer my sincere apologies for any unintended harm that may have arisen from my remarks, which I retract unconditionally and confirm that no such harm was ever intended,” Latif said.
“I am an advocate of responsible broadcasting, research-based journalism and objective analysis. Having had the honor of serving as captain of the Pakistan national cricket team, I have the highest respect for the reputation and dignity of the country and would never intentionally act in a manner that could bring it into disrepute. I strive to engage in public discourse, balanced and fair.”
In response to his public apology, former PCB chairman Najam Sethi came to his defense but deleted the post after Mohsin Naqvi called his comments “completely misplaced, ill-timed and factually incorrect”.
“[Najam Sethi]your comments are completely misplaced, ill-timed and factually incorrect,” 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 about silencing the criticism, but rather about “dealing” with the spread of false and defamatory allegations.
“PCB’s action against Rashid Latif was never about silencing criticism, it was about addressing the deliberate spread of false and defamatory allegations. Our proceedings have remained fully within the law and solely focused on protecting the integrity of Pakistan cricket and its players,” Naqvi explained.
He also stated that the PCB welcomed Latif’s apology and reiterated that the board members are committed to “protecting” Pakistan cricket and its assets.
“Rashid Latif has apologized in his tweet today which clearly confirms the board’s position. 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.”
