Since taking over the post as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Zaka Ashraf has stressed on having good relations with all the boards besides restoring bilateral ties with India and bringing back international cricket to the country.
Raja felt that the revival of bilateral series, which were brought to a halt in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks in 2008, was among the most important assignments for Ashraf. “I think Ashraf has made just the right start,” said Raja. “This series benefits both countries and benefits cricket overall.
“There is no bigger series than India-Pakistan and they should anoint it as an ‘icon’ series, as Test cricket is already getting ‘knockout punches’ from the limited-overs formats,” said the cricketer-turned-commentator.
The former opening batsman added that Pakistan cricket faced a few issues that needed attention. “Our cricket has got a few very important priorities which need to be looked at. Reviving international cricket, improving our standings and paying attention to the domestic cricket structure are a few issues.
“In addtion, we have to name our coaching unit. So these are his main priorities, and of course the most important one is to play India [in a bilateral series].’’
Raja added that he had also done his bit to encourage all-rounder Shahid Afridi who roared back into international cricket with a bang after his match-winning performances against Sri Lanka. Afridi announced a ‘conditional retirement’ over his differences with the PCB setup but reversed his decision after Ashraf’s appointment.
“Afridi is a perfect advertisement for Pakistan cricket, because that is how we should be perceived as a cricket nation: aggressive, but not unpredictable, and with flair. Afridi is a headline-grabber with his performances and talent,” he said.