Former Pakistan cricketer and commentator Ramiz Raja has strongly criticized Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav for making political statements during a post-match press conference. According to Raja, the comments violated ICC regulations, which clearly prohibit political discussions in official cricket events.
In an interview, the former PCB chairman emphasized that the press conference held by the Indian skipper carried more weight than the one with ICC’s Andy Pycroft, yet it crossed a line that should never be blurred in cricket.
“Rules Are Clear – No Politics in Cricket”
Raja reminded that the ICC’s code of conduct explicitly bans political talk during matches, press briefings, or any cricket-related activities. He argued that if players are stopped from speaking on issues like Palestine, then the same standard should apply to India’s captain.
He further added that not taking action now would set a dangerous precedent. “If controversial remarks go unchecked, such incidents will only increase in the future,” Raja warned.
Handshake Controversy and Sportsmanship
The former cricketer also touched upon the ongoing debate around India’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistani players after their Asia Cup clash. Raja noted that while handshakes are not a written rule, they are part of cricket’s long-standing culture of sportsmanship. “It’s about respect and ethics, not just rules,” he said.
Message to Pakistan Team
Shifting focus to Pakistan’s performance, Ramiz Raja admitted that fans were left disappointed after the recent defeat. However, he encouraged the players to respond with determination rather than frustration.
“As chairman, I always tried to keep the team’s morale high. I used to tell them to focus on the next match and let their performance do the talking,” he explained.
Raja advised the team to respond to India’s behavior with resilience and hard work. “The best reply to disrespect is to win on the field,” he concluded.
