The Pakistan cricket team is facing criticism for organising a private dinner for US fans during their T20 World Cup campaign. The controversy has hit the Pakistan team ahead of their opening match of the tournament against the US, with former wicketkeeper-batsman Rashid Latif slamming the Pakistan Cricket Board for hosting a private dinner for fans for $25.
Latif posted a video on his account in X, pointing out that US fans were invited to a private dinner with Pakistan players but it was not a free or charity event. The veteran Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman said it was a terrible idea for the PCB to host a private dinner.
“There are official dinners but this is a private dinner. Who can do this? It’s horrible. I mean, he met our player for $25. I pray to God, if there was any confusion, people would have said the boys are making money,” Latif said in the video.
Pakistan arrived in New York after a 2-0 defeat to England and a T20I defeat to Ireland earlier, leaving them low on confidence ahead of the mega ICC event.
Meanwhile, the five-match series against a New Zealand team missing several veteran stars from their T20 World Cup squad as they prioritised playing in the IPL also ended in a 2-2 draw.
Latif further said that private dinners are a common practice among the Pakistan team and this is not a good sign.
“People tell me that whenever they call any Pakistan player, all they ask is: ‘How much will you give us?’ This has become normal. Things were different in our time. We had two-three dinners but they were official. But this is the World Cup so attention will be on it, so the players have to be careful,” Latif added.
Meanwhile, the veteran wicketkeeper suggested that attending fundraisers and charity dinners is one thing but meeting and greeting fans for $25 is a big mistake by the PCB.
“The amount of $25 should not be spent so blatantly. I will attend a couple of dinners but there is nothing commercial about it. I can attend charity dinners and fundraising events but this is not a fundraising or charity dinner. This is a private event in the name of Pakistan and Pakistan cricket. Do not make this mistake,” he added.
