Ramiz Raja opens up about Najam Sethi-led PCB
He speaks for the first time since removal as PCB chairman
Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja has opened up the management committee led by Najam Sethi.
While speaking on his official YouTube channel, Raja stated that political interference in cricket is not justified.
"There should be no political interference in cricket. The government of Pakistan removed a Test cricketer from chairmanship of PCB just to accommodate Najam Sethi. This is a highly disrespectful way of treating your cricketers,” said Raja.
"The government of Pakistan changed the whole constitution of PCB just to accommodate Najam Sethi. I have never seen this ever in my life,” he added.
Raja also opened up about captaincy of Babar Azam and the impact of the new PCB setup on the batter’s leadership.
"I believe in authoritative captain but Babar Azam has to bring improvement in his captaincy,” he said.
"The new hierarchy in PCB will put pressure on Babar Azam because the captain now has to work with a new management of PCB during ongoing season,” he added.
Ramiz Raja sacked
It must be noted that Pakistan cricket chief Raja was sacked just days after the national team suffered a humiliating first-ever 3-0 home series whitewash at the hands of England, according to a government notice.
But a change had been on the cards since April, when Imran Khan — a former national captain — was ousted as prime minister and replaced by Shehbaz Sharif.
Raja, a member of Khan´s 1992 World Cup-winning side, was appointed chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in September last year.
A government notice seen by AFP said Sharif´s cabinet had dismissed Raja, and the PCB would now be run by a 14-member committee headed by Najam Sethi, who has twice served as chairman.
The committee also includes legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who is a former captain of the men´s team.
The government notice also said the current constitution of the board has been scrapped, and one dating from 2014 revived.
The committee will have 120 days to change the constitution and elect a new chairman.
Khan came under fire for changing the PCB´s constitution in 2019 — in particular for abolishing the role of government departments and private entities in first-class cricket, leaving hundreds unemployed.
However, in his tweet, Sethi said "thousands of cricketers will be employed again".
"The famine in cricket will come to an end," he added.
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