New Delhi: Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ramiz Raja Friday said that “90 per cent” of International Cricket Council’s revenues are dependent on India and if the country decides to stop the funding, PCB can collapse. Raja’s statement generated instant reactions from Pakistanis, ranging from shock, denial, anger to even agreement. Some questioned why Pakistan doesn’t have funds for cricket and how Prime Minister Imran Khan, a former cricketer, is letting “India run Pakistan”, while others called it “an uncomfortable truth”.
Ramiz Raja Said 50% of PCB funding from ICC 90% of ICC funding fm BCCI
that is India is running PCB.
Why we heard that , has #Pakistan not fund to Play the Cricket ? very shame full to u @ImranKhanPTI #PakistanCricket #MdcatStudentsWantJustice #SaveZehriBrothers pic.twitter.com/HcTPK3AvZG— Fatima Begum (@f_begum786) October 9, 2021
these are uncomfortable truths that we have to face. This is the golden rule. He who has the gold, makes the rule. Each country is a power due to the size of its economy. Not because of the length of the its beards.
— zahid hussain (@mezbankitchen) October 7, 2021
Raja said most of the ICC’s business comes from the Indian market, which is a problem for the Pakistani board because it draws “50 per cent” of its funding from ICC.
“In a way, India’s business houses are running Pakistan cricket and if tomorrow the Indian Prime Minister decides he will not allow any funding to Pakistan, this cricket board can collapse,” Raja said to the Senate Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial affairs in Islamabad.
Raja assumed his post as PCB chief Monday and has already commented on several issues. He had earlier said that the revival of bilateral series between Pakistan and India was “impossible” and an investor had a “blank cheque” ready if the Babar Azam-led Pakistani team beat India in the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place at the Dubai International Stadium on 24 October.
Also read: Ramiz ‘Rambo’ Raja is on a roll and Pakistani cricket fans are grilling him
Pakistanis react
Ramiz Raja drew mixed reactions from Pakistanis. There were Twitter users who used this opportunity to create memes at PCB’s expense, showed a “beggar’s bowl” as their country’s flag symbol. Then there were those who found it shameful that PCB was living on “alms” and urged PCB to earn enough to manage its own “bread.”
What he actually meant pic.twitter.com/UNVt7M5oER
— MANGO MAN. عام آدمی (@Ryo54292483) October 8, 2021
we are getting from ICC, not India. He should understand this and don’t create chaos. PCB should at least earn that they can manage bread from themself instead of getting bheek.
Apni ayashi khtm nae hoti nikamo ki salary dekho in shehzado ki.— Shiba.army (@shiba_army1) October 8, 2021
Many Twitter users tried to rationalise the situation, and review the facts to understand the nuances of Raja’s remark.
Dear @iramizraja , get your facts straight … First @ICC funding only amounts to about 25% of @TheRealPCB budget not 50% as u r saying, secondly India does not fund 90% of ICC. #Stupid https://t.co/gJwZPR0ciH
— Dewan Sachal (@essel1) October 8, 2021
And finally, there were those who accepted what the PCB chairman said and called him truthful, irrespective of the harsh reality.
#RamizRaja #PakistanCricket
Atleast he speaks the truth! https://t.co/3V2eMoHKDL— Rafi Masood (@personal_rafi) October 8, 2021
But the funniest reactions came from his “blank cheque” statement, with Twitter users quipping that the cheque will “bounce”.
It’s not going to happen and even if it happens then check will get bounce ????.
— your Father (@i_m_yourfather) October 8, 2021
Me too .. I will give @iramizraja blank ✅ https://t.co/sIaMCEjjWC
— Aasim (@Aasimzaki) October 7, 2021
Also read: Pakistan has no love for New Zealand, only rage and conspiracy theories after tour pullout
Raja on PCB
Ramiz Raja is playing the “tough role” of restoring the Pakistan Cricket Board, which has suffered major revenue loss in the recent past. His first attempt has been to sideline the ICC. In the Senate Standing Committee briefing, he had criticised it for being a “politicised body” divided between the Asian and Western blocs and more of an “event management company”. Now, his focus is solely on financially empowering PCB. The 58-year-old had already highlighted cost-saving measures.
“We have to cut the expenses of the board. Have one cup of tea instead of two, use the air conditioner less and turn off the lights when you leave your offices. If our team does not become the number one team in the world, there is no reason for all of us to stay here. We have to work to justify our presence here.” Raja said as quoted by Geo Tv.
Raja is trying to make Pakistan the “number one team in the world.” Through measures like these, he has been hoping to “positively impact the country’s cricketing system”.