Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ramiz Raja did not mince his words and took a dig at Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Indian Premier League (IPL) after India's disappointing exit from T20 World Cup 2022.
“Billion dollar ki industry waali teams peeche rah gayi hai aur hum upar nikal gaye hai (Teams with billion dollar leagues are falling behind us). We are doing something right,” Raja told reporters on his arrival in Australia ahead of Pakistan’s final clash against England at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Raja also gave a clarification over the possibility of India and Pakistan playing a Test series in Australia. Former New Zealand cricketer Simon O'Donnell had revealed that Australia has offered to host a Test series between the arch-rivals.
“I don’t have any such knowledge about the Test series to be played between India and Pakistan,” said Ramiz. Last month PCB had threatened to pull out of ODI World Cup 2023 which will be hosted in India after BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s comments over refusal to play Asia Cup 2023 in Pakistan.
The 60-year-old also talked about the ongoing comparisons between Pakistan’s exciting journey in the ongoing T20 World Cup and their 1992 World Cup triumph. Pakistan were considered knocked out of T20 World Cup 2022 but Netherlands' shock and awe performance against South Africa paved the way for their comeback.
“There are striking similarities to the 1992 campaign. There is an air of invincibility, a self-belief like in 92. Back then, we knew that even if the opposition played with 15 in the final, we were not going to lose,” he said.
On the other hand, despite all the pressure Raja feels that the team looks more relaxed under Babar Azam compared to the champions of 1992 led by Imran Khan. “Babar XI are more relaxted than us. We were bit scared before the final. They are enjoying the moment, and it is heartening to see,” he revealed.
