‘India’s DNA is to play finals and win, Pakistan’s is to lose before knockouts’: Rashid Latif

“Even after losing the toss (In theT20 World Cup final), they (India) made 250 runs. Nobody will be able to catch them. They have not done this overnight; it is the result of their hard work over the last 10 years or so. See the last ICC events or the Asia Cup. India’s DNA is to win trophies, and our DNA is to lose even before the knockouts. Their DNA is playing the final and winning,” Latif told reporters in Pakistan.

Pakistan’s maiden ICC trophy was in 1992, when the Imran Khan led them to victory in the World Cup. They won the 2009 T20 World Cup with a win over Sri Lanka in England and then won their third and last ICC trophy in the form of the 2017 Champions Trophy. The last time Pakistan reached an ICC tournament final was in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, where they lost to England. Post that final loss, Pakistan have not been able to reach the semi-finals. In the 2024 T20 World Cup as well 2025 ICC Champion Trophy, Pakistan did not reach the knock-out stage. Following Pakistan’s exit from the Super 8 in this year’s T20 World Cup, there were reports of Pakistan Cricket Board fining the team-members with an amount of PKR 5 million each. Latif also spoke on the issue. “Weaker boards do this. When you sign a contract, it has everything. Fines and rewards are also mentioned,” Latif added.

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan too had criticised the move by PCB. “Is it confirmed? If it’s confirmed, then it’s not right. Earlier, an instance like that happened. In 2003, when we returned after the World Cup, Rashid Latif was made the captain, he received a message from the PCB that the match fees will be reduced to half and the same will be done with allowance. 1-2 players had taken a stand against this, “ Khan had told the media earlier this month.

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