Former Pakistani captain Ramiz Raja has been reportedly sacked from his post as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday, December 21. This report comes a day after Pakistan was handed their maiden whitewash in a Test series at home by England, who defeated them 0-3.
According to various media reports from Pakistan, Najam Sethi will succeed the former cricketer in the role.
Ramiz Raja, who took over the role in September 2021, oversaw the proceedings of the PCB during 2 T20 World Cups and a 50-over Women's World Cup. Raja became only the fourth former Pakistan international cricketer to head the PCB after Abdul Hafeez Kardar (1972-1977), Javed Burki (1994-1995), and Ijaz Butt (2008-2011).
His final days in PCB were marred by a war of words with the BCCI when reports emerged that India may not send its team for the Asia Cup next year slated to be held in Pakistan. If Raja does leave the office, then it will bring an end to his second stint with the PCB, after serving as the PCB chief executive from 2003 to 2004.
PCB threatened that it will boycott the 2023 ODI World Cup scheduled to be hosted by India should BCCI decide against sending their team for the continental tournament next year.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sherif, who is also the patron of the board, cleared the appointment of Sethi as the new chairman of the PCB, according to reports. The 74-year-old had given up his role as PCB chairman when Imran Khan was elected as the Prime Minister of Pakistan in 2018 due to the differences with Khan in the past.
Questions were being asked of Raja's administration as Pakistan lost 4 Tests on the trot, failing to win even one Test at home in their last two series against Australia and England. His defense of the preparations of docile tracks.
An interim selection committee will most likely be formed to announce the squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand starting on December 26.
(Times now news/ News 18 inputs)
