KARACHI: The prolonged dispute between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and former captain Rashid Latif was resolved on Saturday after the ex-skipper “unconditionally” retracted his earlier statements about the board.

The disagreement began when Latif suggested that Mohammad Rizwan’s removal as the ODI captain was connected to the wicketkeeper’s public support for Palestine. His comments led the PCB to file a complaint with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).

Latif, as a result, was summoned to appear before an investigation officer at NCCIA’s Lahore office on November 17.

The former wicketkeeper batter later moved the Islamabad High Court against the inquiry, labelling it as unlawful.

Latif wrote a detailed public apology on X, stating that his comments were not intended to allege any player, board member, or stakeholder involved in wrongdoing.

“I write with reference to my recent comments made on social media and in interviews concerning surrogate advertising. My principal contention was related to potential violations of the advisories upon such advertising issued by the Government of Pakistan,” Latif wrote.

“At no point, whether inadvertently or deliberately, have I ever sought or intended to implicate any individual, including players, board members, or other stakeholders in wrongdoing,” he added.

Latif further acknowledged that he made an “unwarranted reference” to Rizwan’s support for Palestine as a potential reason behind his removal as Pakistan’s ODI captain, further admitting that his assumptions were not supported by any credible evidence.

“However, notwithstanding my intention to refrain from political commentary or unverified speculation, I acknowledge that I made an unwarranted reference to Mohammad Rizwan’s public support for Palestine as a potential factor in his removal from captaincy. Upon further reflection, I recognise that this assumption was inappropriate, unfounded, and not supported by any credible evidence.”

Latif concluded by apologising to the general public, especially PCB, and vowed that his public commentary on cricketing affairs would be measured and evidence-based as he described himself as the “advocate” of responsible broadcasting and research-based journalism.

“I deeply regret any distress or offence that my comments may have caused to the general public, or more specifically, to the Pakistan Cricket Board and its officials. I offer my sincere apologies for any unintended harm arising from my remarks, which I withdraw unconditionally and affirm that no such harm was ever intended,” Latif stated.

“I am an advocate of responsible broadcasting, research-based journalism, and objective analysis. Having had the honour of serving as captain of the Pakistan national cricket team, I hold the reputation and dignity of the country in the highest regard and would never intentionally act in a manner that could bring disrepute upon it. I endeavour to participate in public discourse in a manner that is fair, balanced, and constructive.”

In response to his public apology, former PCB Chairman Najam Sethi came to his defence, but deleted the post after Mohsin Naqvi termed his comments “completely misplaced, ill-timed and factually incorrect”.

“[Najam Sethi], your comments are completely misplaced, ill-timed, and factually incorrect,” wrote Naqvi on X, accompanied by Sethi’s now-deleted tweet.

The current PCB chairman further emphasised that the cricket board’s action against Latif was not about silencing its criticism but instead about “addressing” the spread of false and defamatory claims.

“The PCB’s action against Rashid Latif was never about silencing criticism, it was about addressing the deliberate spread of false and defamatory allegations. Our proceedings have remained fully within the law and focused solely on protecting the integrity of Pakistan cricket and its players,” Naqvi explained.

He also stated that the PCB welcomed Latif’s apology, reiterating that the board members are committed to “protecting” Pakistan cricket and its assets.

“Rashid Latif has apologised in his tweet today, clearly affirming the Board’s stance. We welcome his apology and offer a clean slate,” Naqvi stated.

“We do not use any other means to silence those who criticise the Board. We protect Pakistan cricket and its assets.”

Paul Mescal has revealed that he is looking forward to seeing Saoirse Ronan while working on The Beatles’ upcoming biopic.

As fans will know, Mescal will play Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes’ ambitious multi-part project, The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event.

In a new chat with Us Weekly, the actor confessed that he is excited to reunite with his Foe costar, as Ronan is set to portray Linda McCartney.

“She’s just one of my best friends and an unbelievable actress,” Mescal told the publication of Ronan, 31.

Expanding on the reunion, he added that he has been genuinely looking forward to diving into their scenes together.

“So I can’t wait to get into those scenes with her, yeah, down the line,” he remarked in conclusion.

The upcoming biopic series also stars Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr and Harris Dickinson as John Lennon.

Michelle Pfeiffer says becoming a grandmother has reshaped how she wants to spend her time.

The 67-year-old actress recently shared in a new interview that she feels “blessed” following her recent work and the news that her daughter, Claudia, 32, welcomed a baby in 2024.

“I am feeling very blessed for the opportunities that are presenting themselves to me and loving the work,” Pfeiffer told Fox News Digital. “I’ve been working with incredible cast members in all three projects I’ve done recently… great directors, great material.”

She added that the new addition to her family has inspired her to prioritise time with loved ones. “I think I’m going to have most of next year off, which I’m really looking forward to,” she said. 

“I just want my choices and the way I spend my time—whatever time I have left—to be meaningful.”

Pfeiffer, who also shares a son, John, 31, with her husband, TV writer David E. Kelley, previously paused her career to focus on her children. She then explained in 2023 that her kids encouraged her return to acting.