KARACHI, 25 September 2003 — Rashid Latif threw Pakistan cricket into new turmoil yesterday when he quit as captain on the eve of the home series against South Africa.

“I have resigned but have nothing to say on the matter,” Latif told AFP.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Executive Rameez Raja said he had no information about Latif’s resignation.

Latif, 34, was appointed captain in March following Pakistan’s first-round exit from the World Cup in southern Africa. He was given the post until New Zealand’s planned tour of Pakistan in December.

However, he came under attack from PCB chairman, former Lieutenant General Tauqir Zia, who accused him of violating the players’ code of conduct.

Zia criticized Latif for writing a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) on match fixing in international cricket and for statements he made on the issue to the national media.

The wicketkeeper, who led Pakistan to a 3-0 Test victory over Bangladesh last month, was also suspended for five one-day matches after he was charged with claiming an unfair catch in the third and last Test at Multan.

Inzamam-ul Haq, who led Pakistan to the 5-0 one-day series win, is likely to be made captain for next month’s home series against the South Africans.

Latif reportedly met the PCB chairman in Karachi but Rameez Raja said he had no details.

“We have yet to receive anything from Latif,” Raja told AFP.

PCB spokesman Samiul Hasan confirmed Latif’s resignation.

“PCB can only confirm that Latif has resigned. He has given no reason for his resignation and PCB has nothing in writing,” said Hasan. “PCB will not make any further comments on the matter.”

A statement issued by PCB late Wednesday quoted Zia as saying that he was disappointed and sad over Latif’s decision to resign as Pakistan captain and retire from international cricket.

“However, the resignation of Rashid Latif has not been accepted or rejected by the PCB Chairman. The decision will be made on Thursday,” the statement said.

Latif, in an e-mail sent to reporters late Wednesday, said: “I am available for the series against South Africa as a player because fans are angry and insisting me to play.”

Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas said Latif’s resignation could create a crisis.

“I think Latif’s resignation has to do with some inside controversy and it could create a crisis in Pakistan cricket because he was given the guarantee to lead a clean team,” Zaheer told AFP.

Pakistani media said Latif had serious disagreements with chief selector Aamir Sohail during the series against Bangladesh.

Pakistan has a history of sacking captains and coaches — Latif is the fifth captain to be replaced since 1999.

While skipper he led Pakistan in six Tests, winning four, losing one and drawing one. In 13 one-day games under him, Pakistan won six and lost seven.

Latif remained a crusader against match-fixing as he accused fellow players of involvement in wrongdoing and resigned as a protest during Pakistan’s tour to South Africa and Zimbabwe in 1994-95. He provided recorded evidence to a match fixing inquiry conducted by Lahore High Court Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum and, based on this, former captain Salim Malik and pacer Ataur Rehman were banned.

Six others - Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Mushtaq Ahmed, Inzamam, Akram Raza and Saeed Anwar — were fined.