Latif brushes aside security fears ahead of coaching stint in Afghanistan

KABUL - Former Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper Rashid Latif, who had been appointed as Afghanistan’s batting coach, brushed aside any fear over security on his arrival here on Monday to begin his new stint.

Latif was appointed earlier this month to work alongside head coach Kabir Khan. Though he will most likely remain based in Karachi, Latif will have to spend time in Afghanistan coaching both the national side and helping out with grass-root cricket in the country.

“That is not my concern I am being well looked after and my job is to focus on the coaching assignment,” Latif told reporters.

The News quoted him as saying that his focus would be to see rapid improvement of a side that shot from the lower ends of the World Cricket League to one of the strongest non-Test playing nations in the space of a couple of years.

Recently Afghanistan qualified for the World Twenty20 and impressed with passion and verve despite their defeats to India and South Africa.

“The players are very keen to do well for their country, they have lot of pride and energy and that is a great sign,” said Latif.

Latif will formally start working with the team at a camp in Jalalabad from July 27. (ANI)