Following the speculations regarding his sacking as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Ramiz Raja on Friday (24th June) hinted at continuing his position.

Raja was appointed as the chairman of PCB by Imran Khan in 2021 during his tenure as the PM. It’s fair to say that since he took the charge, he brought many changes to the cricket system in Pakistan. 

Since his appointment, the Pakistan team has also become a dominant force in all three formats of the game with their most special victory coming against arch-rivals India in the T20 World  Cup 2021. 

Read Also: PCB to challenge BCCI's proposal of a bigger window for IPL in ICC meeting

However, ever since the new government took charge in Pakistan, there have been many speculations regarding Raja’s future as the PCB chairman. The rumours took a new hype when Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif held meetings with former chairmen of the board. 

Raja played down all the rumours, saying that if something had to happen it would’ve happened by now. He expressed his desire to continue as the PCB chairman by remarking that for things to improve continuity should be given a chance. 

"It's been two months now and we can't live on speculations. If something had to happen it would have happened by now. Look unless you give continuity a chance nothing will improve in Pakistan cricket," Ramiz Raja said. 

Raja said that he has put in his request to meet the PM and discuss the plans for the future to improve Pakistan cricket. He added that good work should not be disregarded. 

Read Also: WATCH - Ravindra Jadeja hugs Rishabh Pant after he dismisses him for 76 in warm-up game

“Cricket gives me excitement. I have a lot of other options. The PM is our line in-charge and I have put in a request to meet him and brief him on what we are doing and our plans for the future.

"There is no ego issue here, we just want to improve Pakistan cricket. If the constitution allows a change fine but just because of tradition you should not undo the good work," he said. 

Raja concluded by saying that change is not necessary if they are achieving their goals. He said that to replace him as the PCB chairman lies completely in the hands of PM Sharif, who is also the patron-in-chief of PCB but his performance speaks for himself. 

"If we can achieve well-defined goals at the same time, why change? What I have seen is that we need to have corrections in our cricket and we have to build our capacity for talent and wishlists. It is the Patron-in-chief's call but I think performance speaks for itself and if fans are with you it becomes difficult to make decisions," he said. 

(PTI inputs)