Cricket in Pakistan will collapse if India stop funding ICC – Ramiz Raja

Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ramiz Raja says the PCB can “collapse” if India stops funding ICC as 90 percent of the funds comes from the rival country. Cricket is being run by “India’s business houses”.

Appearing before the Senate Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial affairs on October 7 in Islamabad, Ramiz Raja said that it’s high time Pakistan reduce its dependence on the funds of the ICC and start tapping the market in the country.

“The ICC is a politicised body divided between the Asian and Western blocs and 90% of its revenues are generated from India. It is frightening,” the PCB chief said, adding that 50% of PCB’s budget comes from ICC funding.

“In a way, India’s business houses are running Pakistan cricket and if tomorrow the Indian PM decides he will not allow any funding to Pakistan, this cricket board can collapse,” he added but did not elaborate on the specifics.

According to him, ICC has become an event management company and the PCB would have to make its voice heard. “What New Zealand did was unacceptable because till now they have not shared any information with us on what led them to abandon the series in Pakistan. But they are now trying to reschedule the series,” he said.