Ramiz Raja reveals greasing the palm of journalists as PCB chief

Former Pakistan Cricket Board ( PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has said that he greased the palm of two journalists as the board chief, but he could not reveal their names.

Many journalists used to request trips abroad, he said during a TV programme.

He added: “Sikander Bakht is a loser and lost his mental balance at this age. You can point fingers at everyone except Alia Rasheed. A bullet-proof vehicle was given in response to death threats.

“Babar Azam was given a free hand. Controversial players should not be in the team. Players involved in match-fixing do not return to the national team anywhere except in Pakistan

“Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis should not have returned to the team after the Justice Qayyum report. Yahya Hussaini, and Abdul Majid Bhatt are off.”

There is no need to be surprised at the Ramiz remarks on Wasim Akram as the latter in his memoir wrote that the former was preferred because of his father.

The former PCB chief stressed that the board should not be invaded.  

He continued: “Rules and regulations were changed to bring in Najam Sethi. It is disrespectful to treat the board in this way.

“The PCB should be apolitical. If no one cries fouls, a journalist will become its chairman. No one has tried to build the system in PCB.  The process of selecting a chairman should be changed.

He listed his feats, saying: “Steps to resolve the issue of drop-in pitches were taken and billions of rupees were spent for the purpose. Due to our initiative, England and New Zealand teams took tours. We took extra security money from New Zealand.

“The PSL franchises got more money during my time. After Najam Sethi's contract, money is lost. The PCB funds get through an audit. It does not take a penny from the government. It earns on its own.  PCB is semi-government … it should be such a body." 

He said that the loss of 800 million in the junior league is no loss at all