Ramiz Raja elected PCB Chairman, takes over role with big coaching appointments

Ramiz Raja has been elected as the new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on September 13 following a meeting of the PCB's Board of Governors in Lahore. Raja, a former Pakistan captain, has been elected "unanimously and unopposed" as per the press release shared by the PCB.

Raja extended his gratitude to the members of the board for his election and stated that he will aim to start his journey as PCB chairman with the mission of bringing back the old “culture, mindset, attitude and approach” that he said made Pakistan a tough side to beat at the international level.

“One of my key focuses will be to help introduce in the Pakistan men’s cricket team the same culture, mindset, attitude and approach that once made Pakistan one of the most feared cricket playing nations,” Raja was quoted as telling the other board members in a PCB press release.

“I am thankful to all of you for electing me as the PCB chairman and look forward to working with you to ensure Pakistan cricket continues to thrive and grow stronger, both on and off-the-field."

There were words of discontent in Pakistan cricket over the elevation of Raza as his relations with some of the former and current players have not been great in the recent past. He has had a verbal altercation with Mohammad Hafeez while his relationship with Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis was also not great.

The duo left their coaching role with the Pakistan side and as soon as Raja took the chairmanship, he has appointed Matthew Hayden and Vernon Philander as coaches of the national teams before the ICC World T20 due later next month.

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Pakistan appoint Matthew Hayden, Vernon Philander as 'consultant coaches' for T20 World Cup

Pakistan have announced two prominent additions to the support staff for the upcoming T20 World Cup with former Australian opener Matthew Hayden and South Africa pacer Vernon Philander joining the side as batting bowling respectively. The duo will replace the Pakistani duo of Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis who resigned from their post of the head coach and bowling coach earlier this month. These developments have come on the day when former Pakistan cricketer and a prominent voice in the world of cricket, Ramij Raza has taken over the chairmanship of the Pakistan Cricket Board. “One of my key focuses will be to help introduce in the Pakistan men’s cricket team the same culture, mindset, attitude and approach that once made Pakistan one of the most feared cricket playing nations,” Raza said after taking over the reins of the PCB and one could argue if someone can be better than Hayden to instil a fearless attitude in players. “The Australian can bring some aggression into the team. He has experience of World Cups and was a world-class player himself. Having an Australian in the dressing room will be of great benefit for us,” Raza said of Hayden. It was always expected the Raza’s elevation to the top of the PCB will bring some changes in the side with two global events coming up and the signing up of Hayden and Philander is a perfect start to the expectations. Interestingly, Hayden has also signed up for commentary in the second half of the Indian Premier League due to start on September 19 and hence it is unlikely that the left-hander would be able to do the dual role in such a quick time.

Australia Test skipper Tim Paine to undergo neck surgery, but insists will be fit for Ashes

Australia Test captain Tim Paine is set to undergo neck surgery in the coming days but expressed confidence in becoming ready for the first Ashes Test against England scheduled to start on December 09 in Brisbane. Paine said that the decision of going under the knife has been taken after discussion with the spinal surgeon and Cricket Australia’s medical team. “The consensus of the spinal surgeon and the CA medical team was to have the surgery now which will allow plenty of time to fully prepare for the summer. I expect to be able to restart physical activity by the end of this month and be back in full training in October. I will be ready to go by the first Test and am very much looking forward to what will be a huge summer,” Paine said. There will be a lot at stake for Paine and his Australian Test team after a devastating series loss against India the last summer. Paine would be hopeful of having a full-strength squad to pick for an all-important Ashes series at home which they have not lost since the 2010-11 edition. It is also being speculated that Paine will announce his retirement from international cricket or at least give up the captaincy of the national Test team. He had taken over the reins from Steve Smith in the aftermath of the Newlands Test where the trio of former captain and vice-captain Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were penalised for the ball-tampering offence.

Sourav Ganguly refuses to blame 'dead scared' players for Old Trafford Test cancellation

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Ben Dwarshuis joins Delhi Capitals in place of Chris Woakes for IPL 2021 remainder

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