'They are compromised' - Ramiz Raja calls out Cricket's governing body for lack of intervention in India-Pakistan dispute

India stopped playing against Pakistan in the bilaterals and this comes on the back of the ongoing political rift between the two nations. Eventually, the Men in Blue stopped travelling to their neighbouring country due to security reasons and the most interesting schedule in 2023 would be Pakistan hosting the Asia Cup. 

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Ramiz Raja, the chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been voicing out his opinion on India boycotting the Asia Cup and the boss was quick enough to reply that the Men in Green will not give a second thought to boycott for the 50-over World Cup to be held in India in 2023. 

Eventually, Raja called out the Cricket’s governing body to be proactive and solve the ongoing rift between the two boards. To clarify on the World body’s stand, they have always been neutral and often stayed away from involving in the issue, citing various reasons. Raja claimed that it is high time that the board got involved in the issue and come up with a solution for the same. 

“They are circumspect and not forthcoming because India produces the entire World body's wealth, and so their position, unfortunately, is compromised as a result,” Raja was quoted as saying to the National. However, there have also been times when many cricketers and former cricketers came in support of Pakistan.

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There should be no excuse for both countries: Ramiz Raja

Saying that both nations should have no reason for not travelling, Raja claimed that it was necessary that the two teams faced off against each other in bilaterals for the benefit of the game and the population of both countries and to regain the lost rivalry. While it may sound partially correct, India have been facing the team without any issue in the multinational tournaments. 

“I don't think it's going to change unless we have a resolve and commitment in every cricket board and our cricket fraternity works towards making it happen. Of course we need to play each other. Who wouldn't want to watch India versus Pakistan? There shouldn't be an excuse for Pakistan not playing in India or India not playing in Pakistan,” Raja was quoted as saying. 

“I think we're still about two, three years away from lowering our guard. I'm very comfortable that at least cricket is happening in Pakistan. It's a miracle really, how we have remained afloat and relevant. And I've mentioned it before somewhere that it was like living in an apartheid cricket system,” he added. 

“We are the only side in world cricket in the last 10 years that have not played a series against India and yet, you see that we have become an affluent cricket economy. So that's another proud moment for us. There's a lot of traction, a lot of excitement. Women's cricket in the next five years will skyrocket in Pakistan” said the PCB chief further.