'It was a provocative statement' - Ramiz Raja on the controversial incident with Indian journalist after Asia Cup 2022 final

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja was doing the rounds on social media after an altercation with an Indian journalist following Pakistan's loss in the Asia Cup final. Almost a week later to that incident, the former Pakistani cricketer explained the reason behind his reaction during a Q&A session on PCB's YouTube channel.

The incident in question took place moments after Pakistan's defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka in the 2022 Asia Cup final in Dubai. The PCB chair was seen snapping at an Indian journalist, grabbing his phone in an attempt to stop the recording after he was asked about the nation's disappointment on his team's poor performance in the finale.

Ramiz Raja clarified that the journalist asked a provocative and inappropriate question. "He was miles away from Pakistan, so there was no way he could've known the disappointment of the nation after Pakistan's loss in the final," Raja said on PCB's YouTube show, ‘Fans Forum With Ramiz’.

"The question that he asked was inappropriate. The point behind me telling him that was he said that all Pakistanis were disappointed with their cricket team. How did he know that? Because he was some 2000 miles away from Pakistan. It was completely a provocative statement," he added.

We have definitely not left Shaheen in the lurch: Ramiz Raja 

Notably, the PCB has come under scrutiny from several ex-Pakistani cricketers after Shahid Afridi revealed that the injured Shaheen Afridi received bare minimum support from the board and was bearing the cost of his treatment in the UK from his pocket. Former fast bowling great Wasim Akram had also criticized the PCB for their actions.

The board has come out in support of the fast bowler with Ramiz Raja labeling it an 'unfortunate controversy'. 

"How can you even think that PCB can disown Shaheen Afridi? It is beyond my understanding. It’s an unfortunate controversy. Players are the most important stakeholders for us. They must have been some issue with regard to his accommodation or hotel room, but we have definitely not left Shaheen in the lurch," Raja said on PCB’s official YouTube channel.