Exclusive || Ramiz Raja is absolutely right, ICC will dealt with huge blow if there is no Ind vs Pak, in WC 2023: Saba Karim

Former Indian cricketer Saba Karim agrees with PCB chief Ramiz Raja’s observation that ICC will not not be pleased if Pakistan does not travel to India to participate in the 50-over World Cup 2023. Notably, Ramiz Raja warned the BCCI stating that if Pakistan does not play India in 2023 ODI World Cup, no one will watch ICC event.

Earlier, BCCI secretary and president of the Asia Cricket Council, Jay Shah stated that Team India will not tour Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023, and the continental tournament will be shifted to a neutral venue, most likely UAE. Jay Shah, BCCI secretary and president of Asia Cricket Council, drew sharp reaction from the Pakistan cricket fraternity, forcing PCB Chair to state that his team will not travel for World Cup 2023 in that case.

“If Pakistan does not participate in the World Cup scheduled in India next year, who will watch it? We have a clear stand: If the Indian team does not come to Pakistan, we will not go for the World Cup. They can play the World Cup without us. We will adopt an aggressive approach,” said Ramiz Raja.

Ramiz Raja is absolutely right

In a telephonic conversation with The Quotes, Saba Karim said that Ramiz Raja is right in his observation, citing the magnitude of the audience, which attended India vs Pakistan matches, in the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup 2022.

“The clash between traditional arch-rivals has become the most attractive contest in world cricket. Ramiz Raja’s observation is not wrong when he says that the ICC event will suffer a huge blow if there is no India vs Pakistan in the cards,” Saba Karim said.

Sleepless nights for ICC

The wicketkeeper batter further claimed that development between the two arch-rivals is a source of headache for the International Cricket Council as the India vs Pakistan match guarantees good revenue for the governing body.

“ICC must be working towards resolving the issues between two boards. Every cricket fraternity wants to excite and quality competition between India and Pakistan. The team features world-class players, and a contest between both will be a blockbuster event,” Saba Karim believes.

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Way ahead

We all know that it’s not BCCI who decides if the players tour Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023; both boards must come to a common page with proper dialogue. “It’s the Government of India who takes these calls.

PCB chief must understand this fact and proceed accordingly. Both the board have high-minded people in their board, and they should take the call which does not hurt the sports and sentiments of the cricket fans,” concluded Saba Karim.

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