Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja declared on Wednesday that he will not relax until Pakistan achieves world-class status and defeats Australia on their home soil, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Addressing a news conference along with newly-appointed PCB CEO Faisal Hasnain in Karachi, Ramiz Raja discussed a variety of topics, including the low turnout for the recent Pakistan-West Indies series, the need for permanent coaches, and team selection.

The PCB chairman said that the team was on an impressive trajectory but acknowledged that more work needs to be done. “Pakistan has to improve its fielding a lot,” he noted. “I have been working at the PCB for the past three months yet it feels like 30 years have passed. I now realise that holidays are a huge blessing.”

Raja spoke about his performance so far as the PCB chairman, saying that he raised his voice at the Asian Cricket Council after New Zealand and England withdrew from the Pakistan tour. “I said during the meeting that if any Asian country is mistreated, everyone should raise their voice against it,” he disclosed. 

When it comes to coaches, the PCB chairman stated that he has no “final opinion”. “If we hire coaches on long-term contracts, we’d be stuck. Specialists, not coaches, are required,” he added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrtJL27B_ps  

Raja also opened up after Test cricketer Yasir Shah and his friend, Farhan, were named in a First Information Report (FIR) regarding the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl on Monday. Speaking on the matter, Raja expressed his disappointment over the negative headlines it had created for Pakistan cricket. “We are still assessing the situation but I will say that these players are ambassadors of Pakistan and such headlines are not good for Pakistan cricket. This was supposed to be a calming period for us as a feel-good factor had been created,” said Raja.

Raja said that PCB to go with the winning momentum of the team against New Zealand, England and Australia and rescheduling of the cricket series have been done. 

“Now they (NZ and England) think twice before any last-minute change of plan. We are trying to make the tours relaxed as much as possible,” Raja added.

He acknowledged that fans did not come to the stadium because their teams are exposed to COVID-19, security issues and cricketing intellect.
Ramiz Raja responding to the bio-secure bubble said the problem was at the West Indies end and now PCB has booked a complete hotel in the PSL.

He said, “I attended nine-hour long Board of Governors meeting. We took a presentation from an external expert on fan engagement.”

Raja said that he told BoG members to talk more about cricket. “We are planning to build rooms at the high-performance centres near the ground to avoid the traffic jams ... and in the next eight to 10 months you will be seeing less traffic woes on eve of matches.”

Raja was confident that PCB was taking all measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the PSL matches. “This is all about the self-attitude of players too to ensure adhering to the SOPs for the smooth conduct of the PSL season which will be totally held in Pakistan,” he added.

He said Pakistan team has made the combination after so many years and players temperament was important to continue the winning momentum but we will be giving chances to new players as well.  

Raja said PCB should invest more in first-class cricket to make the top quality team. “Matches tickets will be available in the upcoming matches at the cricket ground but after consultation with the agencies because there are many departments involved in it,” he added.