Ramiz Raja, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman has revealed that PCB will get a blank cheque if the Babar Azam-led side beats India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. India will face Pakistan in their opening game of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 at the Dubai International Stadium on October 24.
The last time India and Pakistan faced each other was in the round-robin stage of the 2019 ODI World Cup, where the former won by 89 runs (DLS method). Their last T20 World Cup face-off resulted in India’s 6-wicket win over Men in Green in Kolkata in the 2016 edition.
However, due to the unfortunate political situation, the two teams haven’t played a bilateral series since 2012-13. Pakistan and India’s last bilateral ties at either of the two neighbouring countries were 2 T20Is and 3 ODIs in India way back in 2012.
Ramiz Raja: Blank Cheque Ready If Pakistan Beats India In T20I WC
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) cited “increasing concerns about traveling to the region” just days after New Zealand also pulled out of the Pakistan tour over security concerns. A deadly 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore saw Pakistan become a no-go destination for international teams.
In between 2012 and 2015, UAE staged most of Pakistan’s “home” games since the attack. A rapid improvement in security in recent years has led to the return of international cricket, with Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, West Indies, South Africa, and Bangladesh touring in the past six years.
“PCB runs 50 percent on the funding of ICC. 90 percent of funding to ICC comes from India. I’m afraid that if India stopped funding ICC, then PCB might collapse because PCB gives zero percent funding to ICC. I’m determined to make Pakistan cricket strong,” Cricket Pakistan quoted Ramiz Raja as saying in a meeting with the Senate Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC).
“One strong investor told me that a blank cheque is ready for the PCB if Pakistan beats India in the upcoming T20 World Cup,” Ramiz Raja added.
Ramiz Raja: If Pakistan’s Cricket Economy Is Strong, England And New Zealand Wouldn’t Use And Bin Pakistan
Last month, New Zealand decided to end the tour against Pakistan following a New Zealand government security alert. The PCB chairman said teams won’t withdraw from touring Pakistan if the board has strong financial support.
“If our cricket economy is strong, we won’t be used and then binned by teams like England and New Zealand,” he said. “Best cricket team and the best cricket economy are two big challenges,” said Ramiz Raja.
India, champions in the inaugural edition played in South Africa in 2007 and finalists in 2014, will also have Afghanistan, New Zealand, and two qualifiers from Round 1 to contend with in Group 2. Meanwhile, Group 1 comprises England, Australia, South Africa, the West Indies, and two qualifiers from Round 1.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in UAE and Oman will get underway from October 17, with the final to be played in Dubai on November 14.