England cancels tour
Ramiz for triangular series from ‘Asian Block’ platform
islamabad
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja said on Tuesday he felt “used and then binned” after England cancelled a white-ball tour for their men’s and women’s teams next month.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) cited “increasing concerns about travelling to the region” just days after New Zealand also pulled out of a tour to Pakistan over security concerns.
However, the ECB statement highlighted player welfare as the key consideration with many feeling the strain of operating in bubbles to prevent the spread of coronavirus cases over the past two years.
The first trip by the England men’s side to Pakistan since 2005 and first-ever for the women’s team was due to see Rawalpindi host men’s and women’s Twenty20 double-headers on October 13 and 14.
Heather Knight’s women’s team were then due to play three one-day internationals (ODIs) in the same city.
Reaction to the withdrawal in Pakistan has been furious.
Pakistan travelled to England last year at a time when Covid-19 infection rates in Britain were among the highest in the world for a three-match Test and T20 series that saved the ECB millions in television rights deals.
“It’s the feeling of being used and then binned. That’s the feeling I have right now,” Raja told reporters.
“A little bit of hand-holding, a little bit of caring was needed after New Zealand pull out and we didn’t get that from England which is so frustrating.”
“We’ve been going out of our way to meet the international demands, being such a responsible member of the cricketing fraternity, and in return we get a response from ECB saying the players were spooked by New Zealand’s withdrawal. What does that mean?”
Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Rameez Raja taking a bold stance that the Pakistan team will not play cricket at a neutral venue and slammed western countries for their ‘double standards’.
He said that western countries take decisions according to their interests. “If the Australian cricket team will not come to Pakistan, there will be a plan B,” PCB chairman said. PCB Chairman said there was an option on creating an ‘Asian block’ for a triangular series.
Earlier, Rameez Raja expressed his disappointment with England and said, “Pulling out of their commitment and failing a member of their Cricket fraternity when it needed it most. Survive we will inshallah. A wake-up call for Pakistan team to become the best team in the world for teams to line up to play them without making excuses.”
