Ex-Pakistan skipper Rashid Latif has brought to light significant flaws within the nation’s cricket framework. Latif criticized Pakistan’s handling of cricket, indicating that the country has fallen behind in turning cricket into a profitable venture compared to India. His comments come in the aftermath of Pakistan’s underwhelming performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, which has sparked heavy criticism from former players and fans.
IPL vs. PSL disparity
Latif underscored the considerable differences between India’s Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan’s Pakistan Super League (PSL). He noted that the PSL has struggled to attract top-tier players due to limited financial resources. According to Latif, Pakistan’s failure to commercialize cricket has stunted its progress and evolution.
“India, akin to their film industry, developed a cricket industry. We see cricket as a pastime, which is why we couldn’t transform it into a business. PSL remains stagnant. The highest salary cap is $1.40 lakh. Why can’t they increase it? Why can’t we have players like Mitchell Starc or Pat Cummins? Because we lack the funds, so there’s no business,” Latif remarked, as per News18.
India’s triumphs on the world stage
Latif highlighted that India’s strategic approach has allowed them to achieve global dominance in cricket. The Indian squad’s victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 is a testament to their continued strong performances in ICC tournaments. Conversely, Pakistan has consistently struggled to leave a mark in such competitions.
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Influence of international coaches
Latif also pointed out the significant impact of foreign coaches on India’s cricketing success. He mentioned that India has gained immensely from the expertise of international coaches while also focusing on grassroots development, which has often gone unnoticed.
“It’s not that India suddenly became a powerhouse in world cricket after the World Cup. Look back at 2007, 2011, 2015. They’ve absorbed a wealth of knowledge from foreign coaches and simultaneously worked at the grassroots level without much attention. Then came the IPL. Now, they have the best minds. They have Ponting with DC, Hussey, and Bravo. But what are we doing?” Latif questioned.
Pakistan cricket’s hurdles
Latif’s statements highlight the broader challenges confronting Pakistan cricket, including the need for a sustainable economic model and enhanced investment in player development. His critique serves as a wake-up call for Pakistan cricket authorities to reassess their strategies and draw lessons from India’s successful commercialization of cricket.
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