Former PCB Chairman backs Ramiz Raja over political turmoil

After a period of instability in Pakistan's political machinery, Ramiz Raja's position as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board  (PCB) hangs in the balance. The development followed after Imran Khan's removal as the Prime Minister of the nation by a no-confidence motion. 

It is an unspoken rule in Pakistan that the PCB chief should resign if the PM leaves office.

Former PCB chief Tauqir Zia criticised the Pakistan government for interfering with cricket. He expressed that politics should be removed from the sport and believes that if someone replaces Ramiz Raja, they will undo any success made by the PCB under Raja's chairmanship. 

Ramiz Raja has been praised for PCB's progress under his chairmanship. 

Under Raja, the PSL (Pakistan Super League) franchises earned revenues of PKR 900 million each, the highest in history. In addition, PCB has also incorporated several new domestic leagues, both men and women, to discover young talent.

Previously, the newly elected PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed that Raja should continue his tenure as the chief, but no official news followed.

Following Imran Khan's resignation, most lobbies have also requested the reinstatement of department cricket. Khan, during his tenure, had rejected players' pleas to reinstate department cricket.

"Departmental cricket provides two main benefits; employs cricketers, and since more cricket is being played, you get to see more talent on display," said Tauqir Zia.

Tauqir advised that players can be employed as administrators, coaches and trainers for more than 200 grounds in Pakistan. This will help generate employment and tackle financial woes within the cricket community.

Zia pointed at the Lahore Qalandars. He expressed that their model of holding countrywide trials to find a young pool of talent should be adopted by the PCB.

He advised that the PCB collaborate with domestic cricket clubs to scout talent.

Tauqir also opined that the regular India-Pakistan series would do well for both the countries, but the clashes at the government level make it difficult for them to collaborate.

The former PCB chief, during his tenure, was accused of favouring star pacer, Shoaib Akhtar. But he cleared any allegations by stating that he only supported Akhtar because he believed the pacer could do something great for his country - and he did.