PCB appoints Rashid Latif, captain and Javed Miandad, coach

Rashid Latif has been appointed as Pakistan cricket captain for next month's triangular one-day series in Sharjah. Middle-order batsman Yousuf Youhana has been named as vice-captain. The tri-nation series will be played in Sharjah between April 1 and 10.

Former captain Javed Miandad has been appointed Pakistan coach for the third time. Haroon Rashid will be the manager of the Sharjah-bound team. Javed was previously the coach of the team in 1998 and then again in 2000.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) constituted a new selection committee after Wasim Bari expressed his inability to continue because of his pressing professional and family commitments. Former captain Aamer Sohail has been named as the new chief selector. Other members of the panel are: Shafiq Ahmad, Saleem Yousuf, Farrukh Zaman and Shoaib Mohammad.

"The new selection committee will look after the selectorial matters from Under-15 to senior level", a spokesman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.

The new Pakistan captain, vice-captain and chief selector will address a Press Conference at Pearl Continental hotel in Lahore on Thursday at 1200 hours. The 15-man team for the tournament will also be announced on Thursday.

Rashid last captained Pakistan in 1997-98 in a one-day tournament in Dhaka and then on the tours to South Africa and Zimbabwe. Haroon Rasheed, the new manager of the team, was the coach on those tours.

"The PCB has full confidence in the abilities of these individuals. The PCB wishes them best of luck and hope that they would play their part in rebuilding of the Pakistan cricket team", a spokesman of the PCB said.

Javed Miandad remains one of the biggest names in the cricket world. Considered as a cricket genius, Javed scored 8,832 Test runs and 7,381 one-day International runs.

"The combination of chief selector, captain and coach is an ideal one as they are on the same wave length. They have worked together in the past and enjoy healthy relationship. This understanding will further assist them in preparing a Pakistan team of discipline, character and strength. The PCB would continue to extend full support to the selectors and team management as it has done in the past", the spokesman added.

Wasim Bari, who held the post since early 2000, submitted his resignation while citing professional and domestic commitments.

In his letter to the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Lt Gen Tauqir Zia, Wasim Bari said: "The work load of my job has now become so heavy that I find it virtually impossible to devote the kind of time that the Chairman of the Selection Committee should be devoting.

"The time has now come that Pakistan Cricket Board appoint a full time and if necessary a paid Chairman of the Selection Committee.

"Please appreciate that I say this in the best interest of Pakistan cricket which is now in the need of complete rebuilding.

"I would like to put on record my deepest appreciation for all the support you have given and the affection you have shown to me. Needless to say should you even need any input from me, it always be there. I wish you all the very best of luck in your efforts to build the cricket team".

The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Lt Gen Tauqir Zia lauded the efforts of Wasim Bari.

"I thank him from the bottom of my heart for his meritorious services. He has been an excellent ambassador for Pakistan and his services will be long remembered. I understand that the results of the team don't reflect the commitment Wasim Bari has shown, but the PCB lauds and acknowledges his services to Pakistan cricket", Lt Gen Tauqir Zia said in a statement.

The following is the brief profile of the team management and selectors (in brackets are age, one-day international played, runs scored in ODIs, Tests played, runs scored in Tests):

Rashid Latif (34, 149, 1,479 [156 catches, 35 stumpings], 34, 1,277 [102 catches, 10 stumpings], captaincy record ODIs - 6 won, 7 lost; Tests -- 1 lost, 1 win, 1 draw)
Yousuf Youhana (28, 127, 4,330, 43, 3,149)
Javed Miandad (45, 233, 7,381, 124, 8,832)
Haroon Rashid (50, 12, 166, 23, 1,217)
Aamer Sohail (36, 156, 4,780, 47, 2,823)
Shafiq Ahmed (54, 3, 41, 6, 99)
Saleem Yousuf (43, 86, 768, 32, 1,055)
Shoaib Mohammad (41, 63, 1,269, 45, 2,705)
Farrukh Zaman (46, 1 Test played)

Samiul Hasan
General Manager - Media
Mobile + 92 300 842 4389
19 March 2003