PCB chief hints at forming Asian bloc

Angry at the twin cancellation of Pakistan tours by New Zealand and England, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja indicated on Tuesday some changes in the country’s approach towards the international tours.

Addressing a virtual news conference, Raja said he felt “used and binned” by a Western bloc in the game, and expressed the fear that the series cancellations would have a “domino effect” for the cricket in Pakistan, as Australia and West Indies might also follow the suit.

At the presser, according to a media report, Raja made it clear that Pakistan would no longer go to a neutral venue to play any of its home series. He also hinted at forming an Asian bloc after the refusal of New Zealand and England.

England on Monday cancelled their men’s and women’s teams' tour of Pakistan next month, citing the “mental and physical well-being” of the players. On Friday New Zealand abruptly abandoned their tour minutes before the opening fixture in Rawalpindi on Friday following an unspecified security threat.

“I am very disappointed by England’s withdrawal but it was expected because this Western bloc gets united unfortunately and tries to back each other,” said Raja, a former Pakistan captain, who took over as the PCB chief earlier this month.

“You can take any decision on the basis of security threat and perception. But there’s a lesson for us. We go out of our way to accommodate and pamper these sides when they visit... from now on, we’ll tour only when it serves our interest,” he added.

Pointing out Pakistan’s trips to New Zealand and England last year defying the Covid-19 situation, Raja said: “It’s the feeling of being used and then binned—that is the feeling that I have right now. I certainly feel that we are up against a Western mindset, a Western bloc.”

He said that it would not happen now that “they come to us to serve their own interest and then leave us”. The PCB chairman made it clear that Pakistan would not boycott any match but stressed that tough decisions had been taken.

Raja felt particularly let down by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). “A little bit of hand-holding, a little bit of caring was needed, especially after New Zealand pulled out, and we didn’t get that from ECB,” he said.

The PCB chief reiterated that all the issues related to the cancellation of the tours had to be raised in the International Cricket Council (ICC). “What was the threat that they ran away? We have not made any bloc but we will take those with us, who are with us.”

Raja acknowledged that there was a sense of anger in the country because New Zealand refused to share the exact threat. “Now that they have reached Dubai, tell us now, we have to play our innings according to our position,” he said.

He felt that the withdrawals by England and New Zealand would have a domino effect. “West Indies could be a little jittery and we know that the Australians will probably do what the New Zealanders and England have done. So there goes our domestic international calendar.”

England are scheduled to tour Pakistan in 2022 but Raja, who had a chat with ECB Chairman Ian Whatmore, was unsure. “I said what is the guarantee of England coming back? ... because a month before that tour you can easily quote tiredness, players being spooked again, sick of living in a bubble.”

After the cancellation, many of England’s star players would now be free to play in the latter stages of the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL), being hosted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), should their sides reach the knockout phase.

“It’s a fantastic dichotomy isn’t it,” said Raja. “You are quoting fatigue and mental tension and players being spooked and an hour-and-a-half flight from here before a World Cup [in the UAE and Oman] they are quite happy to be caged in a bubble environment and carry on with the tournament,” Raja said.

Formal protest

Pakistan has formally protested to New Zealand over the abandonment of the visit of New Zealand’s cricket team to Pakistan. Pakistan's High Commissioner to New Zealand Murad Ashraf Janjua handed over the protest letter to the New Zealand government.

According to sources, the high commissioner met with senior New Zealand officials and sought reasons for calling off the tour. The high commissioner said that the manner in which the tour was called off was wrong, as no details were shared with the Pakistani authorities. AGENCIES

(WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)