Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairperson Ramiz Raja raised a number of eyebrows together with his sensational remarks about Pakistan’s participation on the 2023 version of the ICC World Cup which can be hosted by former champions India. The previous Pakistan cricketer issued an explosive assertion after Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Jay Shah lately acknowledged that Rohit Sharma-led Staff India is not going to journey to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023.
After India’s apex cricket board expressed their reservations about touring Pakistan for worldwide matches, PCB chief Raja made a tall declare which sparked an enormous debate within the cricket spectrum. Raja claimed that viewership of the ICC occasion is ready to take an enormous hit if the Babar Azam-led Pakistan facet would not participate within the 2023 version of the 50-over World Cup.
“Within the 2021 T20 World Cup, we beat India. We beat India within the T20 Asia Cup. In a single 12 months, the Pakistan cricket workforce defeated a billion-dollar financial system workforce twice,” Raja advised Urdu Information. Giving a befitting response to the PCB chief, Indian Sports activities Minister Anurag Thakur reminded Raja that no nation can overlook India. “Wait for the right time. India is a major power in the world of sports and no country can overlook India,” Thakur advised ANI.
Days after Thakur hit again at PCB chief Raja with the bombshell assertion, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has shared his views concerning the heated debate. Sharing his views on YouTube, the previous Pakistan skipper shared a noteworthy comment whereas mentioning the 2 luminaries of the sport.
“What can we say? One is the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief and the other is India’s sports minister. It is not going to happen where one will say vanilla ice-cream is good and the other party would agree. If one says vanilla, the other would say chocolate and vice-versa. Some people use this as a podium and stand on it. The political aspect is always there, but the main issue is the betterment of cricket,” Butt stated.
“Ramiz Raja is right. Those who follow Pakistan cricket and are admirers of the team, their interest level will be less if Pakistan doesn’t play. If India-Pakistan match doesn’t happen, lot of people who were making profits would end up suffering losses. In true sense, people want to see India-Pakistan cricket. They want India to come to Pakistan and Pakistan to go to India. They want improvement in relationships,” Butt added.
Arch-rivals India and Pakistan only square off against each other in ICC events and continental tournament (Asia Cup) due to political tensions and frosty diplomatic relations. India last faced Pakistan at the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia earlier this year. The Men In Blue are currently in New Zealand for white-ball series against the Black Caps while the Babar-led Pakistan side is set to host England for the first time in 17 years on Tuesday.
“I don’t know what will happen (with regard to 2023 World Cup), but at least talk should be constructive. I think they get bored sitting like that. India should play in Pakistan and Pakistan should play in India. Both nations have the right to refuse the other if one is not coming,” the previous Pakistan skipper concluded.
