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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ramiz Raja has made a statement with regards to India and Indian cricket. While talking to the senators, Raja said that the PCB can "collapse" if India wants as 90 per cent of the world cricket governing bodies' funds comes from India. In essence, he implied that sport is being run by business houses tracing their origin in India.
Raja was appearing before the Senate Standing Committee on the Inter-Provincial affairs in Islamabad on Thursday when he made this remark. He outlined the need for PCB to reduce their dependence on being funded from the apex cricket body and instead aim at receiving funds from the potential in the domestic market.
"The ICC is a politicised body divided between the Asian and Western blocs and 90% of its revenues are generated from India. It is frightening," the 59-year-old was quoted as saying in a PTI report.
The former Pakistan cricketer was quick to add that almost half of the PCB's funding comes from ICC.
"In a way India's business houses are running Pakistan cricket and if tomorrow the Indian PM decides he will not allow any funding to Pakistan, this cricket board can collapse," he added.
New Zealand are trying to reschedule the series: Raja
Ramiz compared the ICC to an event management company and stated that the PCB should strive to make its voice heard in the international cricketing arena if there is any further cancellation of series. For the unversed, New Zealand recently pulled out of a confirmed series against Pakistan citing a security threat. Following them, England also backed out of the tour.
However, the PCB chief has said that New Zealand Cricket is trying to get the series rescheduled for a later date.
"What New Zealand did was unacceptable because till now they have not shared any information with us on what led them to abandon the series in Pakistan. But they are now trying to reschedule the series," he said.
He hinted that the new dates could be announced soon which will be a huge boost to the board.
As far as the Pakistan team is concerned, they are reportedly set to leave for Dubai on October 15. They will begin their Super 12 campaign against arch-rivals India on October 24.