Cricket News

Pakistan chief Ramiz Raja re-ignite Asia Cup controversy with a strong message for India

Pakistan Cricket Board chief, Ramiz Raja has, once again, put forth his views on the Asia Cup controversy. The former Pakistan cricketer has affirmed that the next edition of the Asia Cup will be held in Pakistan despite India claiming that they won’t visit Pakistan.

“ACC(Asian Cricket Council) gave us the right to host the Asia Cup, uske bad India kehta hai hum nahi ayenge. To main maan sakta hu ki unki ek political unki hai…to nahi aye. Magar Asia Cup humse leke neutral venue pe jana…ye nai hone wala.” (ACC gave us the rights to host the Asia Cup, and I understand BCCI has some politics involved in it, so they can chose to opt out. But taking the tournament from us and moving into a neutral venue is not going to happen)

Raza also stated that Pakistan will pull out of the competition if Asia Cup moves to a different venue.

“Nai kyu nai kar sakte. Magar hum to available hain na. Ye to humara right hai, ya to hum kuch aisi cheez puch rahe ho ki hume mili nai ho aur zor laga rahe ho.”(Yes, why not? We are available as a host. We are not asking for something which wasn’t given to us.)

When asked if other teams such as Sri Lanka and Afghanistan would also pull out alongside India, the Pakistan’s chief said,

“To wo nai ate to nahi aye(if they don’t want to come, so be it), but if this (Asia Cup) goes out to we will pull out.”

The 2022 edition of the Asia Cup was held in Sri Lanka. The hosts put in an outstanding performance in the tournament and went on to win the tournament after beating Pakistan in the final.

The Men in Green, meanwhile, are currently playing the first of the three-match Test series against England. Four English batters scored respective centuries as England notched 657 runs in the first innings.

In reply, Pakistan have managed to score 161 runs in 46 overs without losing any wicket.