Former cricketer Ramiz Raja was ousted as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after Pakistan’s humiliating 0-3 setback against England in the three-match Test series at home. The 60-year-old was appointed for the top position last year, but after a streak of disappointing domestic performances, he was expelled.
When Ramiz Raja was sacked as chairman, Najam Sethi took control. With Abdul Razzaq and Rao Iftikhar Anjum joining the former Pakistan captain on the panel, Shahid Afridi was also appointed interim chief selector. During Raja’s tenure, Pakistan reached the finals of both the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup this year but fell short of the title.
However, the former PCB chairman stated that Pakistan’s white-ball performances were “outstanding” and that it was their team that pressured India to make massive adjustments to their cricketing setup.
“We gave outstanding performances in white-ball cricket. We played in the Asia Cup final; India didn’t play in that. India, a billion-dollar industry, was left behind,” Ramiz Raja said on SUNO TV.
India once again were unable to deliver in crucial moments during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, losing to England by a disappointing 10-wicket margin in the semifinals. As a result of India’s failure to win an ICC title, the board terminated the entire Chetan Sharma-led selection committee.
“Tod phod hui, unhone apna chief selector, selection committee fire kar di, captain badal diye kyunki unko hazam nahi hua ki Pakistan unse kaise aage nikal gaya (They fired their chief selector, selection committee, changed the captain because they couldn’t digest how Pakistan went ahead of them),” the former PCB Chairman added.
The 60-year-old former Pakistan star also stated that he empowered Babar Azam which led to the captain’s strong performances with the side. “I tried my level best to keep this team united. I empowered Babar Azam. Cricket is one of those rare sports where captaincy is relevant. If your captain is powerful, results will come, and we have given results,” said Ramiz Raja.
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