On Monday (13 September) the former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja, who was elected by unanimity and without any opposition, became Pakistan’s new head of the Cricket Board (PCB) for a term of three years.
Ramiz Raja has played more than 250 international matches for Pakistan from the year of 1984 till 1997. Raja replaced Ehsan Mani who stepped down last month from his post.
In addition, Ramiz Raja has also served as the chief executive of the PCB, however, he established his name on a larger scale when he took up commentary and became the “voice of Pakistan.”
The 59-year-old Raja, whose elder brother Wasim also played Test cricket for Pakistan, is the country’s fourth former international cricketer to lead the cricket board. The others are:
- Hafeez Kardar.
- Javed Burki.
- Ijaz Butt.
Prime Minister Imran Khan shortlisted the name of Ramiz Raja and Asad Ali khan after Ehsan Mani declined to accept his short-term extension after his three-year term ended.
When the Prime Minister was in opposition, he was against the policy of PCB that the chairman has to be a nominee of the prime minister, however, now when the power resides with Imran Khan, he followed the same policy.
Ramiz Raja, in a statement at the PCB, said, “One of my key focuses will be to help introduce in the Pakistan men’s cricket team the same culture, mindset, attitude and approach that once made Pakistan one of the most feared cricket playing nations.”
In addition, he said, “The game has and will always be about the cricketers and, as such, they deserve more recognition and respect from their parent institution.”
PCB announced last week that Waqar Younis (bowling coach) along with Misbah-ul-Haq (Head coach) have stepped down from their roles right after the team for Pakistan’s Twenty20 World Cup was announced.
