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‘I Blame Inzamam… My Pakistan Career Was Over…’: Rashid Latif Recalls 2003 Controversy

Aakash Saini

Rashid Latif and Inzamam-ul-Haq [Source: @CaughtBehindShow/YouTube, @ICC/x]Rashid Latif and Inzamam-ul-Haq [Source: @CaughtBehindShow/YouTube, @ICC/x]

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif recalled a controversy from 2003 involving then teammate and deputy Inzamam-ul-Haq as well as former Bangladeshi cricketer Alok Kapali. Latif spoke in details about a controversial catch he claimed during the third Test from Bangladesh’s 2003 tour of Pakistan, hosted by the Multan Cricket Stadium.

Aged 35 at the time, the match also turned out to be the final Test of Rashid Latif’s career. After the incident, he also played only a handful of ODIs before announcing his retirement from international cricket.

Rashid Latif explains how Inzamam replaced him

Speaking with Bangladeshi reporters over the phone, former cricketer Rashid Latif recalled an incident from the historic 2003 Multan Test played out between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Rashid, who was Pakistan’s captain as well as wicketkeeper at the time, spoke about the controversial catch he took off Yasir Ali to dismiss Bangladesh’s number six Alok Kapali from the second innings of the match.

Even though the ball seemingly touched the ground, the then Pakistani keeper claimed the catch, prompting the umpire’s decision to stand. However, Rashid Latif has revealed that he wanted to overturn the decision, and even sought advice from his then deputy Inzamam-ul-Haq to invite Kapali back into the crease.

According to Latif, Inzamam refused to do so and Pakistan ended up winning the match by a thrilling one-wicket margin. He said:

“Yes, after I took the catch, I asked 'Inzi bhai, can we bring him back?' But he said, 'No, no, no.”

Rashid Latif added that while he regrets his decision of claiming the catch, he also blames Inzamam-ul-Haq for not helping him uphold the spirit of the game. Moreover, Latif was subsequently banned for five ODI matches for violating the ICC Code of Conduct. The former Pakistani cricketer added:

“I regret what I did. But I also blame Inzamam. After that, I had a five-match ban. But by that time, Inzamam had become captain, and my career was over.”

He only played a handful of ODIs after completing his ban, with the final match of his career turning out to be an ODI against South Africa in Rawalpindi soon after the Bangladesh series.