The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to challenge the proposed two-and-a-half-month extended window (duration) for the Indian Premier League (IPL). PCB chairman Rameez Raja said the issue would be taken up in the next ICC conference. Raja said at a press conference in Lahore on Friday, ‘No announcement or decision has been taken so far on extending the IPL window. I will give my opinion on this issue at the ICC conference. My point is clear: if there is any development in world cricket, that means it will have an impact on us as well. In such a situation, we will challenge it very strongly and will keep our point firmly in the ICC.
The decision to officially challenge the PCB’s decision comes on the statement of BCCI secretary Jay Shah in an exclusive interview to news agency PTI that the Indian board will be required to conduct the next FTP (future tour) of the ICC from 2024 to 2031. program) cycle will get an extended window for IPL.
Jay Shah had said, “From the next FTP cycle, there will be an official window of two and a half months for the IPL so that all top international cricketers can participate. We have discussed with various boards as well as ICC. Rameez Raja also said that while Pakistan is keen to play India, the political equations between the two neighboring countries are still becoming a hindrance.
Rameez Raja said, ‘I have spoken to Sourav (Ganguly) on this on the sidelines of an event. I told him that currently three former cricketers are leading their cricket boards and if they can’t make a difference then who will?’
He said, ‘Sourav Ganguly had invited me to watch the final of IPL twice last year and again this year. I think it was good to go there for cricket, but in the current circumstances, we have to think about the consequences of accepting the invitation as well.
Rameez Raja refutes rumors of sacking
Rameez Raja also indirectly said that he wants to continue at the top post of PCB. However, there has been speculation for a long time that there is a possibility that the government may sack him. According to speculations, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif will soon replace Rameez with a person of his choice as the PCB chairman.
Shahbaz recently had a meeting with three former PCB chairman regarding cricket matters. This further fueled speculation that Rameez Raja would be ousted. Rameez Raja said, ‘It has been two months now and we cannot live on speculation. If anything had to happen, it would have happened by now. Nothing is going to improve in Pakistan cricket unless you allow someone to work continuously.
He said, ‘There is no ego issue here. We want to improve Pakistan cricket. If the constitution permits to make changes that is fine, but because of tradition you should not destroy the good work.’
