'Be happy that cricket isn’t like any other sport in Pakistan' - Ramiz Raja recalls his advice to Babar Azam over criticism for performance

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja has opened on interaction that he had with skipper Babar Azam where the latter talked about facing constant criticisms from the public of late. Pakistan team's middle-order has been under the scrutiny over the last month after losing the Asia Cup final and then a 3-4 defeat in the home series against England.

At the same time, Ramiz also talked about how he told Babar to at least take the public feedback positively since cricket is the only sport that remains relevant in Pakistan while other sports are not at all cared about in the country. 

The fans have ownership: Ramiz Raja

“The fans have ownership. This is as big as a product as any of our great institution. They unite Pakistan, bring a smile on the fans' faces. Everyone is emotionally involved in this team,” Ramiz said while speaking on Samaa TV.

“Babar Azam often tells me ‘dekhiye hamaara kitna criticism hota hai’. I say to him, ‘be happy that cricket isn’t like any other sport in Pakistan where people don't care about them'. When people are engaged, they will form opinions. As long as they are constructive, no one has a problem,” he further stated.

Pakistan team would now be hoping for a revival in their fortunes in the upcoming T20 World Cup. They are currently the team to look out for in the ongoing New Zealand T20I tri-series having overcome both the hosts as well as Bangladesh so far. 

The Men in Green begin their T20 World Cup campaign against arch-rivals India on October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Ahead of this blockbuster encounter, Pakistan will play two warm-up matches against England and Afghanistan respectively on the 17th and 19th October. 

All eyes will be on pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi who makes a comeback to the Pakistan squad for the showpiece event. He was ruled out of the Asia Cup due to a knee injury for which he underwent a successful treatment in the UK as a result of which he was rested for the England T20Is.