Latif quits coaching role over Malek's appointment

Islamabad: Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has quit his position as wicketkeeping coach at the National Cricket Academy in protest over Salim Malek's appointment as head coach of the academy.

"It is indeed shocking for me to know that former Pakistan captain Salim Malek has been appointed as the head coach of the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) national academy," Latif wrote in his resignation letter sent to the PCB.

A court last month lifted a life ban on Malek imposed for involvement in match-fixing, allowing him to resume his involvement in cricket.

Latif, 40, gave evidence to the initial PCB-commissioned inquiry which recommended a life ban for Malek.

"Since I was the main figure in the match-fixing inquiry after which Mr Malek was awarded a life ban which was overturned last month therefore I have no other choice but to step down as the wicket-keeping coach," Latif said.

"Please consider this letter as my resignation." Latif had been wicketkeeping coach since January.

He played 37 tests for Pakistan - six as captain - between 1992 and 2003, scoring 1,381 runs. He made 119 catches and 11 stumpings.

Latif also played 166 one-day internationals, taking 182 catches and 38 stumpings while scoring 1,709 runs.

Malek said on Tuesday that he had accepted the PCB's offer to become head coach at the NCA.

Meanwhile the International Cricket Council will ask Pakistan to justify its appointment of Malek less than two weeks after his life ban for match fixing was overturned.

"We will write a 'please explain' letter to the Pakistan Cricket Board after hearing media reports that Salim Malek has been given a senior responsibility in the cricket setup," said an ICC spokesman.

Career resumed

Last month a court lifted a life ban imposed by the PCB on Malek for involvement in match-fixing, allowing him to resume his involvement in cricket.

The PCB has said that it would not appeal the court ruling.

The PCB put a life ban on Malek's involvement in the game after its own board of inquiry - beginning in 1999 and ending in 2000 - implicated him in fixing international matches.

"In 2000 the cricket board did a mistake by implementing the recommendations of Justice Malek Qayyum's report," PCB legal adviser Tafazzul Rizvi said.