Ex-PCB chairman Ramiz Raja has no plans to return to commentary for now

Former Test cricketer Ramiz Raja, who proved himself as a fine commentator after retirement, made a surprising entry into the administrative role after ex-Prime Minister and then Patron of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Imran Khan, appointed him chairman, for three years, of the country's cricket governing body in September 2021. 

Raja's arrival as PCB head brought a lot of challenges for the cricketer-turned-commentator who had often criticised Pakistan's performance on his YouTube channel before chairmanship. 

Having the experience of playing cricket and remaining in this field for so many years, Raja made some quick and bold decisions, starting from the removal of the coaching setup appointed by previous management to introducing first-of-its-kind Pakistan Junior League (PJL). 

However, his stay at the PCB was cut short to almost sixteen months after the current PM and PCB patron Shehbaz Sharif appointed two-time chairman Najam Sethi and his 14-member management committee to enforce the 2014 constitution. The 2019 constitution was repealed as a result. 

After his removal, he took a dig at political influence in the cricket board in a series of interviews with different local channels. 

Meanwhile, his fans hoped to see him back in the commentary box but the cricketer-turned-administrator looked unconvinced when he was asked about his return in commentary during an interview with GeoSuper.tv. 

"When there will be any plan to return to commentary, I will share it myself," responded Raja. 

Raja's analysis of Pakistan cricket team's performance on his YouTube channel before chairmanship always remained the talk of the town. During his tenure, people often compared his views as chairman and as cricket analyst on YouTube. 

To a query about any difference in making a point of view in two different roles, Raja said he doesn't agree with what people say. 

"No difference. It's your assumption. I feel I always talked openly about everything," he asserted. 

Sarfaraz Ahmed's performance

During Raja's tenure as PCB chairman, a perception was created that senior cricketers including Sarfaraz Ahmed were sidelined. 

Young wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris was preferred over experienced Sarfaraz while Rizwan remained first-choice for the national team. 

After Raja's departure, Sarfaraz was given an opportunity in Test cricket after almost four years and he scored three back-to-back fifties before scoring a match-saving hundred against New Zealand in Karachi. 

When Raja was asked about Sarfaraz's performance on comeback, he refused to answer the question while saying, "I don't want to do politics."

"There is no need for this question. If he has performed, it's good for Pakistan cricket. Let's move on," he added. 

Pitch controversy

Since taking charge as PCB chairman, Raja remained vocal about local pitches. He gave the idea of drop-in pitches and Australian soil but later on the surface in Karachi and Lahore were prepared with local soil. 

During home Test series against Australia in March 2022, Rawalpindi's stadium was awarded one demerit point for a 'below average' pitch. Later on in December, Pindi Stadium's pitch, where first Test between Pakistan and England was played, received another demerit point. 

Following the pitch controversy during his tenure, Raja was asked about this issue and his input in pitch-making. 

"Neither I made pitches nor I gave instructions, you do your homework first," Raja replied aggressively. 

"I talked about the betterment of pitches. What type of pitch was made in Karachi after me? I talked about solution, if you think there is no solution then stop talking about pitches," he added. 

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