Ramiz Raja not ready to let go Asia Cup 2023 hosting rights
Virat Kohli, Ramiz Raja (Image Credit: Twitter)
In the last few months, India and Pakistan Cricket Boards are having a fight over the venue of Asia Cup 2023. At this point, Pakistan is set to host the tournament. However, the Indian Cricket Board wants the tournament to be moved to a neutral venue. Board secretary, Jay Shah had cited India not being allowed to play in Pakistan.
After this, PCB chairperson, Ramiz Raja has been threatening to pull out of the 2023 ODI World Cup if Pakistan loses Asia Cup hosting rights. Meanwhile, at a time when Pakistan is hosting England for a three-match Test series, the former Pakistan cricketer has touched the topic once again. He said that the board doesn’t want to pull out of the World Cup but the fans want them to do so.
“We don’t want to really go there but it’s just that the fans want us to react,” Raja told Sky Sports Cricket on Saturday. “The fans are absolutely bitter because of what India’s narrative has been regarding India-Pakistan.”
The 1992 World Cup winner added that hosting the Asia Cup will be a great deal for them. For the unversed, Pakistan last hosted an Asia Cup way back in 2008.
“I think there’s a government policy and I’ve got no idea whether they’ll come or not,” he said. “The Asia Cup would mean a great deal to the fans, it’s a multi-nation tournament. We will resist.”
Pakistan Cricket has survived with India for many years: Ramiz Raja
The right-hander further added that he advocates the India-Pakistan contests. However, he added that both boards must be on equal terms.
“I’m all for India-Pakistan contests, I’ve said this on record,” he stated. “I absolutely love the fans, and they like us as well – Pakistan has become a brand in international cricket, the players have got fan following in India, and I know that the second most watched team in India after India is Pakistan, so they take interest in our development.
“We want to go and play, but the fact is it has to be on equal terms. You can’t be subservient to a certain cricket board.
“We’ve survived without India now for a good number of years. Pakistan have looked at the scales of economy in-house and somehow have survived extremely well.”
