Ramiz Raja wants Apex Cricket Body to mediate between India and Pakistan resolve their dispute

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has called on the Apex Cricket Body to be “up front” and “proactive” in resolving India and Pakistan’s long-running cricketing dispute.

In an interview with Pakistan Media Outlet, The National, Raja said the Apex Cricket Body had been “compromised” by India’s growing wealth and influence in the game, preventing them from having the necessary conversations that could result in both national teams playing in each other’s countries.

“They are circumspect and not forthcoming because India produces the entire Apex Cricket Body wealth, and so their position, unfortunately, is compromised as a result,” the former Pakistan batsman said.

“I don't think it's going to change unless we have a resolve and commitment in every cricket board and our cricket fraternity works towards making it happen.”

Raja has been quite vocal against the Indian Cricket Board after the Board Secretary Jay Shah said that India will not travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, calling for it to be played in a neutral location. Raja and the PCB have since said they would potentially boycott the World Cup in India. Both ODI competitions are due to take place next year.

Pakistan and India have contested plenty of games outside their respective countries in recent years. Most recently the memorable 20-20 World Cup encounter in Melbourne in October which India won on the final ball.

Raja is quite happy with the development of cricket in Pakistan despite not playing against India.

“We are the only side in world cricket in the last 10 years that have not played a series against India and yet, you see that we have become an affluent cricket economy. So that's another proud moment for us,” said the 1992 World Cup winner.

International cricket has only recently returned to Pakistan with full force, following the 2009 attack on the visiting Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore.

At least cricket is happening in Pakistan : Ramiz Raja

Currently, England are playing a three-match Test series in Pakistan after 17 years. The second Test against England has been played with increased security, with thousands of police officers deployed in and around the city and travelling England fans only permitted to travel between locations with a police escort.

It has also made access to the ground for local fans difficult, and as such the attendance has been affected. “I think we're still about two, three years away from lowering our guard," Raja said. "I'm very comfortable that at least cricket is happening in Pakistan.”

While the Pakistan team were unable to play in Pakistan, they played their home games in the UAE, and Raja is grateful the Emirates stepped in to provide a "home away from home".

“They've been very kind to host us for so many years," he said. "So we have a lot of respect for that and all the cricket in the stadiums that we used.”