Days after BCCI secretary Jay Shah downplayed his proposal for an annual 4-nation tournament, PCB chief Ramiz Raja said he would discuss the proposal with Sourav Ganguly at the ACC meeting later this month.
PCB chairman Ramiz Raja had proposed an annual 4-nation tournament with India and Pakistan (Reuters Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Ramiz Raja is keen to continue the 4 Nations Tournament
- PCB boss said he will discuss the proposal with Sourav Ganguly
- BCCI Secretary Jay Shah downplayed Raja’s proposal
Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ramiz Raja said on Tuesday he would approach BCCI President Sourav Ganguly and present his proposal for an annual 4-nation tournament, including India and Pakistan, at the Asian Cricket Council meeting on March 19 Discuss in Dubai in March.
Ramiz Raja, earlier this year, had said he would propose the 4-national tournament to the ICC and adds that the winnings from such a tournament can be shared with all ICC members on a percentage basis. Raja said the tournament will feature India, Pakistan, Australia and England, with the host nation rotating each year.
However, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah downplayed Raja’s proposal last month, adding that expanding the sport was more important than short-term commercial interests.
“I will be speaking to Sourav Ganguly about this when we meet for the ACC meeting in Dubai. We are both former captains and players and for us cricket is not about politics,” said Raja, as quoted by PTI.
“I think it’s unfair to keep fans away from the India-Pakistan competitions,” he added.
“Even if India does not go along with this proposal, we will consider launching an annual tri-nation event with Australia and England in Pakistan.”
‘T20 REMOVE EYEBALLS’
The PCB boss added that the Tri-Nation and Quadrangular series are the way forward to maintaining the context of international cricket amid the growing popularity of franchise-based leagues.
“The future of cricket lies in triangular and four-nation competitions. Twenty-20 leagues are turning their eyes away from bilateral cricket, which is declining in its novelty factor.”
Notably, India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket since the 2012–13 season due to strained relations between the two neighboring countries. However, their matches in ICC tournaments have garnered much attention and have proven to be the brand event in every major tournament. India defeated Pakistan in the group stage of the 2019 World Cup but lost to arch-rivals at the T20 World Cup last year.
India and Pakistan meet in the upcoming T20 World Cup at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 23.
