Picture Credit: Twitter
Ever since Ramiz Raja took the role of Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, nothing has gone his way. First, two important members of Pakistan team management stepped down from their respective roles and now no team wants to tour Pakistan. Raja's frustration and irritation is evident as things are getting out of PCB's control. The consequences have led Pakistan to blame India for all the recent events.
First Pakistan's Minister of Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry alleged that ‘Bol na aunty aaun kya’ singer Om Prakash Mishra was behind the threatening email that New Zealand team received as "security alert". And now, PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja has blamed India for changing Aussies’ DNA and other International cricketers with lucrative IPL contracts. “Australians have changed their DNA because of money, they play against India happily and without aggressive approach,” Raja was quoted as saying to ARY News.
Raja did not stop there and went on to accuse International cricketers of playing to save their IPL contracts. “International cricketers have pressure as now they want to save their IPL contracts where they receive a lot of money plus add-ons,” he said.
ECB cancelled tour keeping mental and physical well-being of players in mind
While those from Pakistan are busy blaming India and IPL, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), in its statement, had clearly stated that they were calling off their men and women’s teams’ tours to Pakistan keeping their physical and mental well-being in mind. Notably, New Zealand Cricket abandoned its Pakistan tour due to security concerns which it received from its government.
New Zealand’s star batsman Martin Guptill’s wife had reportedly received a death threat about her husband and then the NZC received a bomb threat to blow the Black Caps while they were in Pakistan. It is unfortunate for a cricket loving nation like Pakistan that they are unable to see their players playing at home, however, a tight security arrangement might see cricket matches returning back to the nation.