Former Pakistani captain Rashid Latif has asked the Pakistan Cricket Board to start preparing the national team in perspective of the next World Cup. It might get too late if the board waits for 2013 to begin the preparations, he added. The 2015 ICC World Cup will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. In the recent 2011 World Cup, the Green Shirts exhibited great talent, will and fighting spirit, beating some of the world’s best teams which has boosted the nation’s morale. They have held onto their performance since then acquiring some major Test, ODI and T20 victories. However, cricket analysts around the world speculate that most Pakistani top-of-the-line players may not be available for the next World Cup since they are in their 30s now. Pakpassion quoted Rashid as saying that a handful of senior players like Abdul Razzaq, Younus Khan and Misbah ul Haq won’t be able to hold until 2015, therefore it’s about time to bring up younger players. He feels that it is absolutely crucial to start preparing in time. The former wicketkeeper said, “A number of players will not be around for the next World Cup. When is the planning going to start for the World Cup? In 2013 when it is too late? Why not start planning and rebuilding the one day squad now for the next World Cup by drafting some of the younger players into the team and giving them a deserving opportunity.” He further added that the upcoming Australian and South African tours will be highly challenging for the Pakistani team and will be a test of time for their potential and consistency.
