Islamabad: With a view to bringing stability in the team, the Pakistan Cricket Board has extended the tenure of the newly appointed captain Rashid Latif, assuring him of at least one-year reign at the helm. Latif, whose appointment was originally valid only for the tri-nation tournament in Sharjah next month, would now remain in office till the tour of New Zealand early next year, PCB chief Lt Gen Tauqir Zia announced on Thursday. "The idea is to give him confidence and support and also enough time to rebuild the team and settle upon winning combinations. We felt it is only fair that the new team management be given ample opportunities to settle down with the new players and then devise their own working strategy," Zia said. "The basic aim is to lift the performance of the team and enable it to perform to its optimum level. The people of Pakistan want to see positive results and the Board itself remains confident that with a fresh approach and ideas the team will return to its winning ways," he said. The decision to appoint Latif for a one-year term was a shift from the old policy of naming captains on a series to series basis, PCB's media director Samiul Hasan said. "The new policy is designed to introduce consistency in the team management and also to give a fair chance to the process of grooming of new players under a new captain and coach," he said. Latif said he was excited with the prospect of having to groom and guide new players and eventually settle upon a winning combination with the long-term future in mind. "I am thankful to the Board and its chairman for reposing so much confidence in me. Personally, I know now where I stand and what is expected of me and I am confident that we have the available talent to start preparing new players." He said he would also closely monitor his own form and fitness during the one-year period. "I do not want be a liability on the team as I am well aware that a captain has to lead by example and with his own performances." "After this term if I feel I can continue to serve the team properly, then I will continue. But if I feel that my own form and fitness does not warrant me a place in the side then I will step down myself," he said. Extras:
Latif asks nation to be tolerant with new-look team
PCB expects Latif-Sohail-Miandad trio to click
Waqar dethroned, Rashid Latif takes the hot seat

Tags: cricket, pakistan cricket board, rashid latif, tauqir zia, samiul hasan.