India controls world cricket now, no one can go against them: Pakistan PM Imran Khan

Days after Ramiz Raja claimed India can shut down PCB, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said their neighbouring nation controls the entire world cricket. The former Pakistan captain made the major statement while expressing disappointment over England and New Zealand pulling out of Pakistan tours, recently. Imran said that no country would take such a step against India because of the amount of money involved.

For the unversed, New Zealand and England were slated to white-ball matches in Pakistan ahead of the T20 World Cup. However, cricket boards of both nations withdrew from the series. While New Zealand Cricket (NZC) took the decision due to security concerns, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) cited the physical and mental well-being of players behind the cancellation.

Many members of the Pakistan cricket fraternity were unimpressed by NZC and ECB’s approach and Imran Khan is no different. The former all-rounder said BCCI’s financial power allows them to control world cricket.

No one would dare do cancel a series against India: Imran Khan

“England let itself down. I think that there is still this feeling in England that they do a great favour to play with countries like Pakistan. One of the reasons is that, obviously, the money,” Imran said in a conversation with Middle East Eye.

“Money is a big player now. For the players, as well as for the cricket boards. The money lies in India, so basically, India controls world cricket now. I mean, they do, whatever they say goes. No one would dare do that to India because they know that the sums involved, India can sort of produce much more money,” he added.

As mentioned above, Ramiz Raja, PCB chairman, a few days ago also made a statement on same lines. He apparently said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi can shut down  PCB the day he desires to.

“Pakistan Cricket Board runs on 50% of ICC funding. ICC funding is received from their member boards. ICC’s 90% funding is received from India. In one way, India’s business houses are running the Pakistan cricket board. Tomorrow, if the Indian Prime Minister decides that we don’t want to fund Pakistan anymore, the PCB can collapse. 90% of ICC’s funding are driven by India,” Ramiz had said.