Ramiz Raja thinks the PCB should have dealt with the ICC reform proposals wisely, yet the situation can still be redeemed. PHOTO: FILE
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.
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COMMENTS (17)
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@yamir: National interest was in the hands of Mr. Zaka Ashraf who failed us. How is that Ramiz Raja's fault? Every other country got a deal in their favor. Pakistan did not. Eating grass will not get us anywhere! And for how long we will have to contend with just eating grass in the name of national interest whi?!
I think because of lucrative commentary contracts Ramiz Raja is more concerned about his future prospects than national interest.
And Mr. Ramiz Raja says the division is on basis of quality and economy. Well ok these big 3s have richer boards, agreed. But Quality? Are you effin kidding me? All these three teams are being whitewashed on regular basis. Wouldn't even mention India here as everybody knows what a load of trash their team is away from home. But England just recently been whitewashed, couldn't even manage to win a single test match against NZ in NZ. Australia got a beating too when they travelled to India and England and they are heading for another whitewash in South Africa. Now just give us a break Mr. Raja please!
@cosmo: Another Pakistani? Whoelse watches IPL in Pakistan by the way?
@yadida: And I see you as yet another Pakistani who would eventually suck it up and watch IPL in the coming season.
Mr. Raja does not believe in taking a principled stand. How can he say it was a show of false bravado? Abstaining from voting was far better than agreeing wholeheartedly to the one-sided proposals. Atleast now we can hold our head high as one of two nations who could stand up to the mighty three. Show some bravado yourself - Mr. Raja!
I would like to see the faces of these two certain board cheifs when they attend the next ICC meeting, with the Indian board in chairman's seat. The same people these two joker boards tried to oppose. But yeah i know these two countries are full of shameless morons. Now they will bend over to seek favours from BCCI. Well they have earned it....now get ready for being used as a football... That too, isolated one.
@Mubeen: It's inconciebvable that New Zealand, West Indies & South Africa felt the urge to "bow down" to any one. They were the smart ones. Pak should have learnt from them & acted in best interest of Pak Cricket.They negotiated from position of strength. SA got away even with a delicious hint at blackmail. Pak & SL will be belatedly negotiating now, from a relative position of weakness.
to say that he favoured the big 3 coz his commentary in IPL is at stake is insane. many viewers including me love the jugalbandi of ramiz and sidhu in extra innings T20. it is his hardwork that has gained him respect in India despite being a Pakistani. so instead of looking at him as a sold out, one should appreciate his vision and pragmatism about the situation.
Pakistanis will be same. Chest thumping without any goal or purpose, ends up affecting your health.
My question to commentators above, if 8/10 countries voted in favor then there must be something they needed to do! (or risk being left out). We alone aren't the guardians of cricket. The sad fact is we can't even host countries on our soil and we talk of principles! @Asad**.
Please note that we will survive by eating grass rhetoric does not actually feed you! This is a phrase used by politicians to fool people. You still need real food to eat.
Even Rameez is wrong here. PCB didnt put a false bravado for principles. They were the first one to hold ICC hostage with their demands. They didnt vote because they didnt get what they wanted from BCCI. PCB overestimated itself and played a dirty media game but in the end BCCI is not a tiger for no reason.
what exactly Raja meant was, they have the power, therefore, bow down in front of them!
@Asad Shairani:
"Pity that principles are so easily sidelined in the name of ‘pragmatism’. "
I agree with you in principle.
But in this case, while I completely oppose the arrogant 'big three' idea, I also noticed that Pakistan's opposition was not to 'big three' but a 'big three' that included India.
In essence, Pakistan did not take a principal stand. Pakistan took a dishonest stand and lost.
Raja is one of the few sane voices.
It is inexplicable really. Is money is important? The way Ramiz Raja and many pakistanis have reacted to PCB's principaled stand is beyond my comprehension. While the world is praising PCB and CSL (see comments on Cricinfo news reports), Pakistanis are brutally critical. As if succumbing to the power of the Big 3 would have rsulted in millions of dollars, international cricket back to Pakistan!! A world of fool's paradise we live in.
Pity that principles are so easily sidelined in the name of 'pragmatism'. Ex-cricketers who haven't sold themselves to cricket boards or media houses should have protested more. The revenue distribution bit might have been acceptable but to accept the Big 3 immune to any degradation of their status, and handing them control over everything is insane.
I see a new star sports Hindi commentry contract coming his way.