Karachi: Former cricket captain Rashid Latif retracted his recent controversial remarks made in interviews and on social media, issuing an unconditional apology to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the public and all individuals affected.
Latif admitted that his earlier claim suggesting wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan’s support for Palestine was linked to his removal from captaincy was “unfounded, inappropriate and unsupported by any evidence.”
Ex-captain pledges responsibility in future commentary
In a clarification posted on X, Latif said the country’s reputation must come first and that irresponsible commentary had no place in public discourse. He added that he would adopt a more careful and evidence-based approach while expressing opinions in the future.
He reiterated that he never intended to harm anyone and apologized unconditionally to the PCB, the public and all relevant parties.
Clarification follows ongoing inquiries
Latif also addressed questions raised about surrogate advertising and cricket-related matters, offering further clarifications in his statement on X.
His apology comes as two separate inquiries continue under the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) over his earlier remarks.
Public reaction and next steps
The former captain’s retraction marks an attempt to de-escalate a controversy that had become a subject of intense debate online and in cricket circles. PCB officials have not yet commented on whether Latif’s apology will affect the ongoing inquiries.
