A show of false bravado: Raja
Former captain feels PCB should not have been driven by emotions.
Ramiz Raja thinks the PCB should have dealt with the ICC reform proposals wisely, yet the situation can still be redeemed. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to abstain from voting on the new reforms presented by the executive board in the crucial International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting on Saturday is only going to make the situation more difficult for them, feels former captain and renowned commentator Ramiz Raja.
In an exclusive interview with The Express Tribune, Raja stated that the cricket board should have taken a pragmatic approach to the stance adopted by the ‘Big Three’ – India, Australia and England.
“It was a show of false bravado,” he said.
“The PCB decided to take a stand which in principle might have seemed the right thing to abide by, but their decision should also have been grounded in reality and not driven by emotions.”
He added that though the PCB had failed to get a deal in their favour, all was not yet lost; a calculated and methodical approach could somewhat help redeem the situation.
“Now that it has backfired, all they can do is to make the most of a bad situation, before it gets even worse.”
‘Revamp might help improve Test quality’
Raja, who received criticism from various quarters on his backing of the ‘Big Three’ proposal, feels that the reforms can actually improve the quality of the game, especially in the longest format.
He was of the opinion that the Test playing nations would now be automatically divided in two categories, with the weak teams forced to focus hard on improving their standards.
“With the proposed revamp having gone through, we might now see an automatic segregation of the Test playing nations into a top and bottom tier, based on quality and economic strength.
He added that the reforms could be used as a motivation for some of the boards and cricket teams that have lagged behind for a long time.
“I feel that in the long run it will be good for the game as it will put pressure on the underperforming nations to raise their standards,” he concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 10th, 2014.
Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to abstain from voting on the new reforms presented by the executive board in the crucial International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting on Saturday is only going to make the situation more difficult for them, feels former captain and renowned commentator Ramiz Raja.
In an exclusive interview with The Express Tribune, Raja stated that the cricket board should have taken a pragmatic approach to the stance adopted by the ‘Big Three’ – India, Australia and England.
“It was a show of false bravado,” he said.
“The PCB decided to take a stand which in principle might have seemed the right thing to abide by, but their decision should also have been grounded in reality and not driven by emotions.”
He added that though the PCB had failed to get a deal in their favour, all was not yet lost; a calculated and methodical approach could somewhat help redeem the situation.
“Now that it has backfired, all they can do is to make the most of a bad situation, before it gets even worse.”
‘Revamp might help improve Test quality’
Raja, who received criticism from various quarters on his backing of the ‘Big Three’ proposal, feels that the reforms can actually improve the quality of the game, especially in the longest format.
He was of the opinion that the Test playing nations would now be automatically divided in two categories, with the weak teams forced to focus hard on improving their standards.
“With the proposed revamp having gone through, we might now see an automatic segregation of the Test playing nations into a top and bottom tier, based on quality and economic strength.
He added that the reforms could be used as a motivation for some of the boards and cricket teams that have lagged behind for a long time.
“I feel that in the long run it will be good for the game as it will put pressure on the underperforming nations to raise their standards,” he concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 10th, 2014.