Tag: Ramiz Raja

KARACHI: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) – Ramiz Raja came out in defence of the national men’s cricket team and claimed that the side’s performance is not below par.

Following a 4-3 defeat in the historic T20I home series against England and a frustrating setback in the final of the Asia Cup 2022. The PCB chairman Ramiz defended the team’s performance in recent times and stated: “Pakistan team is not performing poorly.”

“Our team performed exceptionally well. They beat India and qualified for the Asia Cup final and our players won four major ICC awards this year.

“Whereas India, could not even make it to the final. Were they executed?” Ramiz questioned.

PCB chairman then went on to claim that the national side will perform well in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022.

Ramiz also commented on the upcoming inaugural edition of the Pakistan Junior League (PJL) and claimed that the one-of-its-kind league will aid in bringing talent to the limelight.

“We are thriving to bring forward young talent as we are providing a platform to the children for learning cricket,” Ramiz shared.

“Playing at the international level boosts the morale of the boys and we are confident in bringing talent to the spotlight that will surprise you,” he concluded.

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KARACHI: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) – Ramiz Raja claimed that the cricket board put a lot of effort into persuading the English cricket team to visit the nation after they cancelled their planned tour last year.

Ramiz, upon his arrival at the National Stadium Karachi to witness the first T20I of the seven-match series between Pakistan and England, interacted with the media and asserted that the PCB put in a lot of effort to successfully hosting the side after a gap of almost 17 years.

“This is an important series for the preparation of the World Cup. We tried to bring England back when they were frowned upon and withdrew from the tour, we made it possible with great efforts,” stated Ramiz.

The PCB chairman further commented on the national team’s performances and revealed that he told Pakistan all-format captain Babar Azam to try to win every match to keep cricket fans happy.

“First of all, remember that we played the final of the Asia Cup and also beat India. Give this team some room to make errors,” said Ramiz.

“I tell Babar Azam the same thing, saying that supporters have short memories and that you must win every game to win their favour,” he maintained.

It is pertinent to mention here that England set foot in Pakistan to partake in the historic T20I series after a gap of almost 17 years. The side withdrew from their scheduled tour last year following the abandonment of the tour of New Zealand.

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LAHORE: The Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) – Ramiz Raja opened up on the selection of young wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Haris over Sarfaraz Ahmed in the national team’s squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022, stating the decision seems justified.

PCB Chairman Ramiz while interacting with cricket fans via ‘PCB Fans Forum with Ramiz’ responded to a question regarding former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz’s selection in the national contingent for the ICC T20 World Cup and stated that the plan is to focus on the future plans.

“Haris has been selected in the squad over Sarfaraz by keeping the future plans in mind,” said Ramiz.

“I am not the chief selector but this decision seemed justified to me since Haris is a very talented player,” he maintained.

The PCB Chairman then acknowledged the services of former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz but stressed the team’s future aspirations and hence termed it a ‘difficult decision’.

It is worth noting that before the announcement of the national squad on September 14, various rumours swirled about former captain Sarfaraz being re-inducted into the squad.

The final squad, however, did not feature the 35-year-old wicketkeeper as Haris was included in the reserve players as a concussion replacement to the team’s permanent wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan.

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja has revealed death threats to his life and hinted at bulletproofing his vehicle for personal safety.

Ramiz, while briefing National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination claimed that he faced death threats and therefore he undertook safety measures accordingly.

“I had a serious death threat,” he said. ” I purchased a vehicle keeping the threat in mind.”

“If I come in a bullet-proof car next time, it will be because of a death threat,” he mentioned in front of committee members.

It is pertinent to mention here that the NA body has summoned the Chairman PCB to get a briefing on the board’s affairs and measures taken by it to improve domestic and international cricket.

READ: ‘Women’s PSL will be held in February’ PCB Chairman Ramiz announces

ISLAMABAD: The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja announced on Monday that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Women will be held in February.

The PCB Chairman Ramiz, who appeared before the National Assembly Standing committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination made a significant announcement regarding the Women’s PSL and claimed that the marquee league will be held in February next year.

“Women’s PSL will be held in February, whereas, Pakistan Junior League to be held in October,” Ramiz revealed.

Ramiz further briefed the committee regarding the assets of the board and claimed that PCB does not receive a penny from the government.

“We take pride in the fact that the PCB generates all of its own revenue, with the ICC serving as the board’s largest financial backer. Whereas, the reserves of the PCB are at their highest now,” Ramiz stated.

The former cricketer then went on to reveal the amount received by each PSL franchise, following the conclusion of the seventh edition.

“Each PSL franchise received PKR 610 million after the last edition of the league,” he concluded.

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KARACHI: Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja has revealed the plan for conducting the inaugural edition Pakistan Junior League (PJL) as he charged legendary batter Javed Miandad to supervise the league.

Speaking at a press conference, PCB Chairman announced Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, and Darren Sammy to be the icon players of the league,

“There is no batsman better than Miandad to supervise the league,” he said. “We’ve selected three icon players for the PJL, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, and Darren Sammy,” he added.

He further stated that 30 companies were ready to own the six franchises planned for the tournament.

“PCB is the first cricket board which is organizing a junior league,” claimed Ramiz.

The PJL will be the first of its sort T20 league contested by under-19 teams, featuring local as well as international players. The teams will recruit the young players via a draft system and will be allowed to avail the services of an iconic player as the team mentor to boost the confidence of the players.

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KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja has expressed his concerns over the unfair system of financial share by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to cricket boards and aimed to make Pakistan the second-best cricketing economy.

PCB Chairman claimed to raise the issue of unfair share on the ICC platform during the upcoming general meeting for the new cycle of the Future Tour Programme (FTP) while proposing that the system of funding should be based on either team’s ranking or the commercial prospects.

“ICC had developed this system a long ago, in which the big cricket board secured the major share for themselves,” he said in an interview given to a Youtube channel Cricket Baaz with Waheed Khan

“The share base for cricket boards should either be based on the cricket – team retaining top ranks across all format should get the funding accordingly,” he added

He further went on to elaborate that it was unfair if Pakistan got a meagre 10 per cent share of all the revenue earned through the showstopper Pakistan-India contests, meanwhile India got 90 per cent.

While expressing his desire to make Pakistan the second-best cricketing economy, Chairman PCB conceded the economic strength of the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI).

“It is not sensible to unnecessarily begrudge the economic strength of any board. If I was in their place I would’ve also assumed it my right to be the first pick, be it FTP or the tournament window given to the various boards,” he claimed. “That’s why I want to make ourselves the second-best cricketing economy, if not the best.”

The Chairman PCB also asserted that unlike other boards he felt privileged not to be dependent on BCCI for the finances.

“I feel privileged while sitting at the ICC table, unlike other boards who look toward BCCI for their coffers,” he maintained. “We are lucky that we are standing on our own feet, we have respect and our team is doing well in international cricket,” he concluded.

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LAHORE: Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Ramiz Raja along with national cricketers Hassan Ali and Imam ul Haq urged people to make more blood donations to the children battling blood diseases while donating one million for the cause, here in a fundraising ceremony of a local NGO.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman PCB paid homage to the patients suffering from thalassemia, haemophilia, and other blood diseases, claiming that he wanted to build a positive image for PCB through participation in such welfare activities.

“Patients who are suffering from blood disease are facing a real challenge, their fight is praise-worthy,” he said. “We get to know about the importance of life after attending such events.”

“We are trying to build a positive for the Cricket Board and undertaking welfare initiatives,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, Ramiz promised to bring more cricketers including the national skipper Babar Azam to such events in the future.

“I’ll bring Babar Azam and other cricketers with me next time,” he concluded.

READ: PCB to set up Cricket Foundation for ex-players, low-level staff’s welfare

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board has established the Pakistan Cricket Foundation for the welfare and well-being of impoverished retired cricketers and low-level staff including match officials, ground staff, and scorers.

PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja has announced that the PCB’s Governing Board in its meeting has approved the creation of the foundation as a charitable trust and allocated the fund of 100 million as a donation for it from its budget.

“Through this foundation, we will further look after the well-being of those retired cricketers, match officials, scorers, and ground staff who are facing severe hardships,” said Ramiz.

“Currently 243 cricketers are on PCB’s payroll. We are trying to give them respectable earning,” he added.

The Chairman PCB also claimed to lure more donors and sponsors to raise funds for the foundation and effectively support the needy ones associated with it.

“We will invite donors and sponsors to contribute and raise funds so that we have sufficient money in our coffers to look after all those in desperate need of the fund’s assistance and support,” he concluded.

It is pertinent to mention here that PCB had raised the pensions of ex-cricketers under the player’s welfare policy last month.

READ: ‘Sourav Ganguly invited me twice to watch IPL Final’ claims Ramiz Raja

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja claimed that his Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) counterpart Sourav Ganguly invited him twice to watch the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The PCB Chairman Ramiz during a press conference here at Gaddafi Stadium, commented on the cricketing ties between India and Pakistan while at the same time revealed that his Indian counterpart Ganguly invited him to watch their marquee league’s final twice.

“Sourav Ganguly invited me to watch two consecutive IPL finals,” claimed Ramiz.

“But, I decided not to go due to the emotional link of our fans and political scenario. In terms of cricket, it did make sense for me to go but it will take time for things to change,” he maintained.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistani players are not allowed to participate in the Indian league since its second edition. The national players were only part of the inaugural edition of the Indian marquee league.

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