A selfish approach is not necessarily wrong: Raja

Former captain asks PCB to adopt a pragmatic stance on ‘Big Three’ proposal


Our Correspondent January 28, 2014
Ramiz Raja believes the Pakistan Task Team headed by Giles Clarke failed to achieve its objectives, yet the power of English cricketcannot be denied. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE

As the cricketing world waits with bated breath on the outcome of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Executive Board meeting underway in Dubai, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been advised to adopt a rational approach by former captain Ramiz Raja.

Raja, who has established a name as one of the leading commentators and analysts of the game,feels that the board need to think wisely and weigh all options regarding the prevailing situation. At the same time hebelieves that theproposal of dividing Test cricket into two-tiers is unwise.

“While on paper the proposal presented by the ‘Big Three’ looks lopsided, the fact remains that at present the Indian Board and Zimbabwe Cricket earn the same revenues despite a monumental difference in their commercial value for the ICC,” Raja told The Express Tribune.

“Yet I don’t see any reason for making Test cricket two-tiered; the present one-tier system should stay in place for the time being.

“For many years, India has been calling the shots, with the takeover proposal being overdue for a long time. The lesser boards have failed to deliver and are marred by incompetence, corruption and bad management.”

‘PCB to salvage best possible outcome’

Rajafurther stressed that rather than calling the proposal draconian, the PCB needed to salvage the best possible outcome for the country’s game.

“PCB should sign a lucrative bi-lateral series deal with India and the agreement should be cast in stone and binding on both parties,” he said.

“Three series with India in the next five years can fill PCB’s coffers and the money can then be invested in improving the sport’s standard on the domestic level. Similar deals should also be made with the England and Australian boards.”

The former openeradded that the ICC had failed to do anything for the beleaguered PCB, who have been struggling to host international cricket after the terror attack on the Sri Lankan team.

He was a member of the ICC Task Team that was established to help Pakistan after the unfortunate incident of 2009, yet claims that the committee failed to deliver.

“Even the Pakistan Task Team was headed by an Englishman (Giles Clarke) so the influence of the big three can’t be denied, yet they failed to achieve anything for us. The important thing now is that we ensure a deal that will help sustain and develop our cricket and the ensuing product in the years ahead.”

COMMENTS (5)

Karwa Sach | 10 years ago | Reply

Who's picture is this?? Ramiz Raja has definitely transformed overnight... :P

Shamima | 10 years ago | Reply

Rameez: Under the present ICC Rules India should play Pakistan but has refused to do so because of political differences. How can you be so naive to think that a comittment to play a bilateral Series with Pakistan will be upheld. What if the Indian Government forbids it? What if they get a court order to stop it as was done by Bangladesh when they refused to come to Pakistan two years ago. Commitments 'set in stone' mean nothing to backstabbers and snakes in the grass!

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