PAKISTAN: Ramiz Raja, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has been relieved of his duties, and Najam Sethi has been named the organisation’s new leader.
Najam Sethi will now join as the new chairman replacing Ramiz Raja
Raja, who became head of the PCB in September 2021, has reportedly been sacked from his duties following Pakistan’s devastating 3-0 Test series loss to England at home. Sethi’s nomination as the new PCB leader was accepted by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday.
Pakistan lost the home series against England and Australia in T20, and Test matches in the year 2022, even though they advanced to the final of the T20 World Cup in 2022 and the semifinals of the T20 World Cup the previous year.
After lengthy absences, both England and Australia came to tour the country and destroyed Babar Azam’s men. The Three Lions, for instance, visited Pakistan after a 17-year absence, but the hosts were unable to handle their “Bazzball” cricket.
In red-ball cricket, this is the first time Pakistan has lost a clean sweep at home. Raja knew his time was up with this unfortunate turn of events. Raja was first put forth for the top position by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on August 27, 2021.
Raja had previously served as the top body’s chief executive from 2003 to 2004. This was his second term associated with PCB. However, a string of disappointing results at home ended the former Pakistani cricketer-turned-commentator’s term.
Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan, has strongly objected to Ramiz Raja’s suggestion to “select T20 players” for Test matches.
On Tuesday, Babar responded to a query regarding Raja’s advice by saying, “The door is not shut for anyone. Every step has a predetermined plan, and we have one for each format. Things cannot be changed in a day or a week. It requires time. It takes time to change one’s thinking.”
“Journalists will then question us about why, if we start to play defensively, we don’t play aggressively, and vice versa, if we play aggressively,” he added.
“There will always be questions since everybody can be pleased. Results are what really count. No matter what we do, questions will be asked if results don’t appear,” he concluded.
Also Read: Babar Azam Blames the Batting Department as Pakistan Loses Against England
