Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja on Tuesday slammed the Indian cricket board for adopting Bharatiya Janata Party’s mentality in sports.
Ramiz Raja claimed during a speech at an event at the Government College University Lahore that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which generates the majority of the International Cricket Council’s revenue, has control over the ICC.
The former PCB chairman asserted that despite the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) decision to give hosting rights to Pakistan, he stood up for the country when India sought to convince Pakistan to shift this year’s Asia Cup to a neutral venue.
The former cricketer went on to remark that India, which has a billion-dollar cricket industry, failed not make it to the T20 World Cup finals while Pakistan did.
During his 1.5-year stint, the former PCB head said he concentrated on progress and consistency, adding that it is unfair to remove an existing system by destroying the constitution.
He continued by saying that such significant changes to the board and system would demoralize young players and that Pakistan cricket has entered a “dark age” following the restoration of the 2014 PCB constitution.
Raja commented on Shan Masood’s selection as vice-captain of the one-day team for the New Zealand series, saying that such a move would just put pressure on the team. He added that Shan Masood’s spot in the playing eleven was uncertain.
