Latif supports ICC's 10-team structure for 2015 World Cup

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has supported the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s original decision to reduce the 2015 World Cup to 10 teams.

The ICC had earlier confirmed that the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand would be contested by the 10 full member nations, four fewer than the recent tournament held in the subcontinent.

However, ICC President Sharad Pawar has now decided to request the executive board to revisit its decision during their annual conference in Hong Kong in June.

Latif, who is the head coach of associate nation Afghanistan, reckons that for the tournament to be attractive it needs to be as tight and as focused as it can be without long gaps. 

“It was the correct decision. Many games in the group stages were dull because of a complete mismatch. There were a few upsets, but that cannot assure associates of their qualification,” the Express Tribune quoted Latif, as saying.

There has been opposition to the proposed new structure, as it would stop minnow countries like Ireland, the Netherlands, Canada and Kenya from competing.