Former Pakistan cricket captain Ramiz Raja’s absence from the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 commentary panel has stirred some cricketing discussions. Official broadcaster Star Sports unveiled the roster on Friday, revealing a lineup of cricketing legends, but without Raja’s name among them.
Representing Pakistan in the commentary box will be Bazid Khan, Aamer Sohail, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis. Meanwhile, the panel boasts other prominent figures like Ravi Shastri, Andy Flower, and Matthew Hayden.
It’s worth noting that Ramiz Raja recently made a return to commentary during the Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka last month. His hiatus from the commentary box had been ongoing since September 2021 when he was elected as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for a three-year term.
However, his tenure as chairman, along with other PCB members, was short-lived, as they were removed from their positions after just one year. They were succeeded by a 14-member management committee led by Najam Sethi. Raja’s tenure as PCB chairman made him only the fourth former Pakistan international cricketer to lead the organization, following in the footsteps of Abdul Hafeez Kardar (1972-1977), Javed Burki (1994-1995), and Ijaz Butt (2008-2011).
Ramiz Raja, who served as Pakistan’s 18th Test and 12th ODI captain, participated in 255 international matches, amassing 8,674 runs during his career from 1984 to 1997. Beyond his playing days, the 60-year-old has played diverse roles in cricket administration. He previously served as the PCB’s Chief Executive from 2003-2004, represented Pakistan on the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee, and currently sits on the MCC World Cricket Committee. His voice has become synonymous with Pakistan cricket and has graced broadcasts worldwide.
The Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, will kick off on August 30, with the final match scheduled for September 17. While Raja may not be part of the commentary panel this time, cricket fans around the world eagerly anticipate the action-packed tournament ahead.
Also, see:
How to watch Asia Cup 2023 live all over the world?
