Karachi: Pakistan's wicket-keeper and former captain Rashid Latif on Wednesday announced his retirement from Test cricket but said he would continue to represent the country in Limited Overs cricket. "I have conveyed my decision to retire from Test cricket and will tell the reasons for my decision at a later stage," Latif said. A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesman confirmed it had received a letter from Latif announcing his decision. Latif said after his announcement that one reason he was bowing out was fatigue. "I have played for 10 years to the best of my ability ... I now find myself too tired to play five-day cricket. I will concentrate on my cricket academy and produce talent for Pakistan cricket," he said. "I thank all my colleagues especially Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and Inzamam-ul-Haq because I enjoyed playing with them." Latif, 33, led Pakistan's tours of South Africa and Zimbabwe in 1998-99 but is most remembered for his crusade against match-fixing, which began when he walked out on his team midway through its Zimbabwe tour in 1994-95. He alleged that then captain Salim Mallik was involved in the banned practice, and later went on to provide tapes of conversations implicating other players. He played briefly for the national side during England's 1996 season but was not selected again until the 1998-99 season. Earlier this month Latif returned home from the Zimbabwe tour after suffering a neck injury. It was first diagnosed as serious but after extensive checks doctors declared him fit. Local media has speculated recently that he may not be selected for next month's tour of South Africa. Pakistan's selectors are likely to name a Test and One-day squad for the tour on Friday. Latif made his debut in England in 1992 and has since played 34 Tests. He has taken 102 catches, made 10 stumpings and racked up 1,277 runs with one century.
