Ramiz Raja Elected PCB Chairman; Matthew Hayden, Vernon Philander Consultants For T20 World Cup
Former cricketer Ramiz Raja has been appointed PCB chairman for a three-year term on Monday.
Highlights
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Ramiz Raja has been appointed as the chairman of the PCB
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Ramiz Raja is only the 4th Pakistan international cricketer to lead PCB
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Ramiz Raja has played 255 international matches for Pakistan
Former cricketer Ramiz Raja has been officially appointed as Pakistan Cricket Board's 36th chairman for a three-year term, the country's cricket body announced on Monday. After his appointment the former batsman said that he will work to ensure Pakistan cricket thrives and grows stronger. "I am thankful to all of you for electing me as the PCB Chairman and look forward to working with you to ensure Pakistan cricket continues to thrive and grow stronger, both on and off-the-field," Ramiz Raja was quoted as saying in a PCB media release.
"One of my key focuses will be to help introduce in the Pakistan men's cricket team the same culture, mind-set, attitude and approach that once made Pakistan one of the most feared cricket playing nations," said the former Pakistan batsman.
Mr Ramiz Raja has been elected unanimously and unopposed as Pakistan Cricket Board's 36th Chairman for a three-year term in a Special Meeting presided over by PCB Election Commissioner, Mr Justice (retd) Sheikh Azmat Saeed.
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) September 13, 2021
More details: https://t.co/IIQDsUS2U9 pic.twitter.com/MMFAc8thnk
In his first press conference, Raja announced that former Australia batsman Matthew Hayden and South African former international Vernon Philander had respectively been appointed batting and bowling coaching consultants for the Twenty20 World Cup.
"I think Hayden will bring an Australian touch of aggression in the Pakistan team and I personally know Philander who can also bring a positive change," said Raja.
Their appointments come after coaches Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis both stepped down last week, citing personal reasons and mental stress as a result of the COVID-19 biosecure environment surrounding fixtures and tours.
Pakistan will start a three-match one-day international series against New Zealand in Rawalpindi from Friday, followed by five Twenty20 internationals in Lahore.
For the New Zealand series, Pakistan will have former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq as interim coach and former allrounder Abdul Razzaq as his assistant.
It is likely that Saqlain will continue as head coach for the World Cup, an announcement of which is likely in the next few days.
The 59-year-old Ramiz Raja became only the fourth Pakistan international cricketer to lead PCB after Ijaz Butt, Javed Burki and Abdul Hafeez Kardar.
(With AFP inputs)
Pakistan Cricket Team