Former Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ramiz Raja has been the heart of the controversies in the Indo-Pak cricketing corridors. Earlier, Raja was on the receiving end of criticism for his blunt and aggressive remarks on the possibilities of Pakistan’s participation in the ODI World Cup 2023 which is to be held in India.
In a controversial turnaround of things, he was sacked as PCB chief and replaced by the former chief and renowned cricket administration face Najam Sethi. Now, the 60-year-old has again fallen into a controversy as he bluntly denied answering a question from a journalist regarding Sarfaraz Ahmed’s comeback to the Pakistan Test team.
Journalist Muzamil Asif asked Ramiz Raja why he did not pick the veteran batter Sarfaraz Ahmed and a few other senior players when he was active as the chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Ramiz Raja's response after @SarfarazA_54 performance
— muzamilasif (@muzamilasif4) January 17, 2023
Complete interview: https://t.co/V942a3DZOL#WeStandWithBabar #RamizRaja #CricketTwitter #SarfarazAhmed #BabarAzam pic.twitter.com/qJxrzBxKMe
The question didn’t go down well with the 1992 World Cup winner Pakistan batter and he came up with a very aggressive and brutal reply.
Was I going to wear pads and play in his place – Ramiz Raja on Sarfaraz Ahmed
“Kya matlab hai is sawal ka, main uski jagah khelta? Main pad up karta kya khelne ke liye, usko na rakhne se mujhe kya fayda hona tha. Agar wo ab accha kar rha hai to ye Pakistan cricket ke liye achha hai, aage badhein ab. (What is the point of asking such a question? Was I supposed to play in his place? Was I going to wear pads and play in his place? I had nothing to gain by not picking him. It's good for Pakistan cricket that he has done well now. Move on now," replied irritated Ramiz Raja.
Although this response from the former Board chief didn’t go down well with a section of the Pakistan cricket fans who were happy with the 2017 Champions Trophy winner skipper’s amazing comeback in the longest format of the game. Fans immediately took to Twitter and lashed out at Ramiz Raja for being such ignorant and arrogant.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Nafrat Dekho chehray par kitni hai Karachi waloon say iski
— AAK (@FPL_Risktaker) January 18, 2023
He was ruining pcb
— Kanhaiya🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@KanuHero) January 18, 2023
Ramiz Raja ki satak gayi hai 🤣🤣
— Akash Kumar (@AkashKu49864746) January 18, 2023
Wow!!!!
— Kamran S. A. Khan (@kksakhan) January 17, 2023
Now, openly?!?@iramizraja
biased Rameez Raja
— عبدالرشید (@AbdurRasheed369) January 18, 2023
Very we'll played muzamil Asif bhai
— Zunair Malik🇵🇰🇵🇰2022 (@zunairmalik222) January 17, 2023
Love you ho gaya is bat pe ap se
Ramiz Raja - what a response? He is responsible for keeping out Sarfaraz for years. No shame or regret.
— Kheshgi (@IamKheshgi) January 17, 2023
Rameez is totally being unreasonable
— Shariq Tariq (@ShariqTariq1) January 17, 2023
Wow never expected him to be this much bias that he wouldn't even say a single word about his performance or appreciate him
— Aashir Vali Vahidy (@aashirvahidy) January 17, 2023
Ya wo logh Hain Jo apni ghalti kabhi nae mannain gy
— Nadiah 🇵🇰 💞°/ Afridian💕 Sarfarazian 💞 👑🦁💕 (@231_Nadiah) January 17, 2023