Pakistan's National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency has launched formal proceedings against former cricket captain Rashid Latif following his critical comments about the Pakistan Cricket Board and its chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between former players and the country's cricket administration.
Investigation Details and Statements
NCCIA spokesperson Najeebullah Hasan officially confirmed that Rashid Latif has recorded his statement in two separate inquiries conducted in Islamabad and Lahore. The investigations were initiated after PCB senior legal manager Syed Ali Naqvi filed a formal complaint against the former wicketkeeper-batsman.
The controversy stems from Latif's social media posts where he expressed strong disapproval of the frequent changes in Pakistan's cricket leadership structure. On platform X, Latif commented on Shaheen Shah Afridi's appointment as ODI captain, writing: "Divide and rule policy is a political strategy to gain and maintain power by creating and exploiting divisions within a population, such as religious, ethnic, cricket teams or class differences."
Broader Context and Additional Cases
In a particularly harsh assessment, Latif stated that Pakistan stands as the "only country that cannot even produce a decent captain." These remarks appear to have triggered the legal action from cricket board officials.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the cyber crime agency has received a separate application against another former captain, Wasim Akram, for allegedly promoting a betting application. However, authorities have clarified that no formal notice has been issued to Akram at this stage of proceedings.
Latif's Previous Comments on India-Pakistan Cricket
The scrutiny of Latif's statements comes at a time when the former captain has been particularly vocal about various cricketing matters. During the Asia Cup 2025, in an exclusive interaction with TimesofIndia.com, Latif spoke extensively about the high-pressure environment surrounding India-Pakistan matches.
"There is a lot of tension between India and Pakistan, and now it has reached the ground as well," Latif had remarked during the tournament. He further expressed concerns about off-field developments creating uncertainty, adding, "Don't know what is happening."
When analyzing the comparative strength of both cricketing nations, Latif acknowledged India's dominance in the T20 format while noting the unpredictable nature of the shortest version of the game. "In T20, anything can happen... But if we look in hindsight, India is a strong team," he stated.
The former captain particularly highlighted the significant gap between the Indian Premier League and Pakistan Super League, observing that "There is a gulf of difference between IPL and PSL." He credited India's robust domestic structure and the IPL for strengthening their cricketing foundation.
As the investigations continue, cricket enthusiasts and legal experts await further developments in this case that highlights the ongoing tensions between former players and cricket administration in Pakistan.
