MM News

RAWALPINDI: Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Ramiz Raja has said that England have brought T20 players for the Test, and Pakistan will also have to think (on ways to counter the England attack).

Talking to reporters after England amassed 657 in their first innings, Ramiz Raja hailed England’s record-breaking batting display as “breathtaking”.

راولپنڈی سٹیڈیم میں چئیرمین کرکٹ بورڈ رمیز راجہ کی اہم گفتگو !👇👇 pic.twitter.com/cfdaUgKw9N

— Abbas Shabbir (@Abbasshabbir72) December 2, 2022

England became their first team in history to score at more than a run a ball in the first innings of a Test match, with Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook all scoring magnificent centuries.

Also read: Rawalpindi Test: England all out for 657 runs in 1st innings

Commenting on the lifeless wicket of Pindi Stadium, he said “we are way behind in making pitches, the pitch of Pindi Stadium should have been better.” He said there were bounces even on pitches without grass, good pitches would be made during the season and the players would get the same pitches in New Zealand.

Also read: England satisfied with Pak security arrangements: McCullum

Ramiz Raja said that drop-in pitches can be the solution to the problem, drop-in pitches are expensive. But I hope that the pitches will be good, the drop-in pitch is to come in the ship, Pakistan will make the drop-in pitches themselves.

Also read: England’s Ben Stokes donates match fees of entire series for Pak flood victims

When asked about Asia Cup, Ramiz Raja said insisted he waned India to resume tours with his country but dismissed the idea of a neutral venue.

However, India and Pakistan have not played each other outside of major international tournaments since 2008, when Pakistan played three matches in their neighbouring country.

Also read: Asia Cup Pakistan tour to be decided by BCCI: Rohit Sharma

When the sides do meet at ICC events, the TV viewership far exceeds all other cricket matches, with hundreds of millions tuning in, and Raja believes tours should resume.

“That question should be put to India because I’m quite happy playing India anywhere. Not anywhere, but in Pakistan or in India,” Raja said.

Also read: India not to travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup: BCCI

“It’s just that, why should fans suffer? Why should the cricket fraternity suffer? Because it makes a great contest.”