'Worst in 70 years' - Rashid Latif's scathing remarks on PCB after Pakistan's series loss

Pakistan suffered a heavy defeat in the second Test against England at Lord's, losing by 194 runs after being bowled out for 110 in their first innings. England had posted 290 in their opening innings, establishing a commanding position. The loss extended Pakistan's struggles in the three-match series, with the team now trailing 0-2 after defeats at both Leeds and Lord's.

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has directed sharp criticism at the Pakistan Cricket Board, pointing to systemic failures within the administration rather than attributing the team's collapse solely to player performance. Speaking on Geo News, Latif acknowledged the severity of Pakistan's recent form while redirecting blame toward the board's leadership structure and decision-making processes.

"Everyone is talking about the Pakistan team, and how it is the worst touring team in the last 50 years. But nobody is speaking about how the current board is the worst in the last 70 years. Nobody is talking about the worst selection committee and coaches," Latif was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

Latif's criticism extended beyond a single area of concern. He identified the PCB administration, selection committee and coaching staff as primary factors in the team's decline, arguing that multiple institutional failures had compounded the on-field struggles. The former skipper emphasised that player performance alone could not explain the extent of Pakistan's recent losses.

"If you combine these issues, you will get the answer to your question. You will know who has ruined this team. Now you are losing consistently. This is the worst cricket board, that's a fact," Latif added.

Pakistan's batting collapse at Lord's underscored the team's vulnerability in English conditions. Babar Azam, the team's leading batter, managed only 8 runs in the first innings and 6 in the second, struggling against England's pace attack. The team failed to cross 200 runs in any innings during the entire series, highlighting the depth of their technical and tactical difficulties.

The 0-2 series loss marked another significant setback for Pakistan's Test cricket programme. England secured the series with their victories at Leeds and Lord's, leaving Pakistan to face questions about the direction of their cricket structure and decision-making processes at board level.