Latif castigates PCB for unjustified central contracts

Karachi: Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif lashed out at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for unjustified central contracts, saying if there was any criteria for giving the central contracts it must be presented before the public.

"I think the PCB has sent merit for a six by awarding the central contracts. If there is a criteria on giving central contracts, then it must be presented before the common public who want to know about the criteria of central contracts," Latif told cricketnirvana.com

Latif, who is never shy of calling a spade a spade, said the PCB is answerable to the public. "PCB belongs to the public and not to the ex-superstars. In the last two months the ex-superstars (running the PCB these days) have only given statements and have not done anything."

PCB on Tuesday awarded 26 players annual central contracts based on seniority. The contracts have received a lot of flak as some players were given undue increments. Paceman Shoaib Akhtar, who was excluded from the three categories last yer, won back A category by playing only three twenty20 matches.

Leg-spinner Danish Kaneria jumped from C to A without playing any match in 2008, while Pakistan's best bowler last year, Sohail Tanveer is still lamguishing in Category B. Faisal Iqbal, a nephew of Director General Javed Miandad, has been promoted, so have Mohammad Hafeez and Yasir Hameed, who have moved from Special Category to Category B.

PCB issues showcause notice to legal advisor

PCB's legal advisor Taffazul Rizvi may have been the busiest man in the cricket set-up last year, managing all the court cases, but he is now in the eye of a storm because of one statement.

Rizvi apparently criticised the PCB for delay in submitting before the Lahore High court the chargesheet against controversial paceman Akhtar last month. The court had demanded the list of breaches done by Akhtar but the PCB had not provided the list and other proofs to the legal advisor.

In a notice to Rizvi, who is due to be replaced by Shaan Gul, the PCB have asked him to give reason for his outburst.