Ramiz has no plans to quit

Published April 21, 2004

LAHORE, April 20: Ramiz Raja, chief executive of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), declared on Tuesday that he had no intention to resign. The news should not surprise anyone in this country as no one quits gracefully unless booted out.

Addressing a news conference at the Qadhafi Stadium,Ramiz admitted that Pakistan indeed played poorly against India to lose both the Test and one-day series, but he would continue his job, setting aside all criticism heaped on him.

Ramiz added that a group of former Test cricketers had levelled allegations of corruption on him, but he termed them baseless. "If they consider it is a right way which can compel me to leave the office, they are wrong because my chairman has reposed his full confidence in me," he said.

The PCB official vowed he would take legal action against the ex-Test cricketers association after consulting the legal advisors of the PCB. Ramiz regretted that the Pakistan team performed below its true potential against India, but added that nothing was wrong with the pitches.

He said that the PCB could provide best coaches for the players but it could not buy spirit and motivation for them. He revealed that the PCB earned Rs 1200 million from the Indian series and would spend the sum to develop infrastructure of the game.