KARACHI: The former head of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja has claimed about the Pak team’s success during his 15-month tenure as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman.
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Speaking in an interview, Ramiz Raja said that the Men in Green played outstanding white-ball cricket during his tenure. He said that the BCCI fired its management because they couldn’t comprehend how Pakistan had surpassed them.
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Ramiz further added that India, a multi billion-dollar industry, failed to qualify for the final of the last two ICC events as well as Asia Cup 2022 in UAE.
He further said that the national team first qualified for the T20 World Cup 2021 semi-finals, and this year, it qualified for the finals of two mega-events.
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Meanwhile, speaking to a private TV channel, Ramiz Raja said “what is leadership? When Asian Cricket Council has asked Pakistan to host a tournament and then India say they won’t travel to Pakistan and shift the tournament to a neutral venue, what should be the response?
“Kya hum sab servant rahenge India k, kyunki woh ek world power hain apne hisab se. Kya hum har cheez unki mante jayenge?” (Are we servant of India just because they are a world power in cricket? Should we listen to everything they say?)
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Continuing further, Raja then explained how Pakistan should deal with the situation, underlining the rise in Pakistan cricket in recent years.
“We will think, will we get isolated, we’ll ask permission from the government then talks will move further. These are not signs of good leadership.
“The Pakistan cricket team is enjoying a great run, you have a good fan following, you have superstars, so please give your team and fans the respect they deserve.”
He said “there should be a decision on the matter, as the tournament was given to Pakistan, so how can it be shifted to a neutral venue without consulting us or with the ACC members.”