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Pakistan cricket is going through a revamp period right now. Ramiz Raja became the new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board after Ehsan Mani stepped down last month. After taking the job, Raja quickly announced the signing of Matthew Hayden and Vernon Philander as Pakistan’s new coaches. Raja, who is a former Pakistan skipper, also said to the media that a bilateral series between India and Pakistan is “impossible right now”.
We are not in a hurry: Ramiz Raja
PCB chairman Ramiz Raja stated that the India-Pakistan series is impossible right now and they are not in a hurry on the issue. “Impossible right now...because the sporting model has been spoiled by politics and right now it is a status quo and we are not in a hurry on this issue because we have to focus on our domestic and local cricket," Raja said in a press conference.
Due to political tensions, the two cricket giants now meet in multi-national tournaments only and they last played a bilateral series back in 2012-13, when Pakistan toured India. Since then, the fans see the Men in Blue take on the Men in Green in ICC tournaments and Asia Cup only. The last time both these neighbors squared off was in 2019 ODI World Cup, where the Indian team continued their World Cup winning streak over Pakistan.
Ramiz Raja opens up on India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match
The 59-year-old Ramiz Raja also opened up on the upcoming India-Pakistan 2021 T20 World Cup encounter, which is set to be played on October 24. Raja said the upcoming match between the two neighbors is a “show stopper” and he wanted his side to prevail over India this time. “It is a show stopper (India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match) and when I met with the Pakistan team players I told them I want the tables to be turned this time and the team must be 100 percent operational for the match and to do well in it,” Raja said.
Ramiz Raja added that he wants the Pakistan team to play fearlessly and not to worry about their places. “We must be prepared to face problems and also lose matches but I have told the players they shouldn’t worry about being secure about their places in the team and play fearless cricket,” Raja said.