Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has stated that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should thoroughly investigate foreign coaches who had previously worked with the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises.
Notably, Latif’s comments came after Pakistan’s Test series defeat to England. He went on to stress the value of loyalty while appointing foreign coaches for the Pakistan team, citing examples of Bob Woolmer and Geoff Lawson.
“Mike Hesson, for me, security concerns are a different thing, but the loyalty factor is very important for a foreign coach. When I talk about Bob Woolmer, I know he was loyal. He had such loyalty. Then, if I talk about Geoff Lawson as a person, as a player, he was professional. He stayed in Lahore. He had loyalty,” Latif said on his YouTube channel.
However, Latif didn’t directly point out Mike Hesson, who is currently serving as the head coach of the Pakistan team across formats. Hesson was the head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kings XI Punjab in the IPL.
“All the others who have come, please help me remember; all of them were foreigners who became Pakistani coaches. They all did their work with heart. I am not putting the blame on anyone, but the coach who has come after doing IPL. There will always be doubt about him,” he said.
“Loyalty factor is very important, and it remains doubtful. I am not saying someone is not loyal; he might be, of course, he might, but it’s better if these things are checked. Check the history. The connection would be there,” said Latif.
“So the damage that we couldn’t do, maybe someone who can damage you, no matter which coach comes from abroad. But one who is directly linked with IPL, from people there, who might want to use him, that’s how agents are formed,” he concluded.
