SAMSUL AREFIN KHAN from Lahore

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif, regarded as one of the finest wicketkeepers of his time, sees a familiar problem plaguing both Pakistan and Bangladesh cricket -- instability.

Both teams were eliminated early from the ongoing Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the UAE after losing to India and New Zealand, with their head-to-head fixture abandoned due to rain in Rawalpindi on February 27.

“Very disappointed. We are hosting a big event after 29 years,” Latif told Bangladeshi journalists over phone.

He believes a lack of professionalism, frequent changes in selection committees, and political interference have hindered consistent success for both Pakistan and Bangladesh.

“We have issues with selection, and the higher authorities make too many changes in five years. There have been 26 selectors in four years, and frequent changes in the chairman’s position as well. That’s why we can’t find stability.

“I think it’s the same issue for Bangladesh as for Pakistan. The thought process behind cricket is very important. I don’t know who is running the board, but politicians are also involved in Bangladesh, just like in Pakistan,” said Latif, who currently works as an analyst for Geo News.

The 56-year-old, who played 37 Tests and 166 ODIs, added that unless both nations adopt a more professional approach, they will continue to fall behind. “Bangladesh and Pakistan need professionals. Even the cricketers themselves aren’t professionals.”

Despite his concerns, Latif acknowledges a promising shift in Bangladesh’s cricketing identity -- their newfound emphasis on fast bowling after having been traditionally reliant on spin.

“Bangladesh have made a gear shift towards fast bowlers. It’s a positive change, just as Pakistan and West Indies did previously. Their pacers – Nahid [Rana], Taskin [Ahmed], and [Tanzim] Sakib -- are very good, and I think they can play much better cricket in the future.”

He is particularly impressed with young leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, believing he could be “the best bowler in the world in a year.

“Rishad is very sharp… He should play in Test matches as well.”

While Latif speaks about the future, he also carries a lingering regret from the past -- one that changed the course of his career.

During the famous Multan Test in 2003, he took a controversial catch of Bangladesh batter Alok Kapali, despite the ball appearing to have touched the ground. The decision stood, and Kapali was given out, but the moment would come back to haunt him.

Now, more than two decades later, Latif reveals that he wanted to overturn the decision and allow Kapali to continue his innings, but Inzamam-ul-Haq, then his deputy, refused.

“Yes, after I took the catch, I asked Inzamam-ul-Haq, ‘Inzi bhai, can we bring him back?’ But he said, ‘No, no, no.’”

Inzamam would go on to play a match-winning innings -- an unbeaten 138 off 232 balls -- guiding Pakistan to a dramatic one-wicket victory and denying Bangladesh their maiden Test win, which they eventually secured against Zimbabwe in 2005.

Looking back, Latif regrets how it all unfolded. “Definitely, I regret what I did. But I also blame him (Inzamam).”

Latif had subsequently received a five-match ODI ban for violating the code of conduct. Though he returned briefly, his international career never recovered.

“After that, I had a five-match ban, and then I played five matches. But by that time, Inzamam had become captain, and my career was over,” he said with a chuckle.