The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja has reiterated that a flourishing cricket economy is the need of the hour in the country.

In a meeting with the Senate Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), Raja stressed on the importance of being self-sufficient rather than relying on the International Cricket Council (ICC) for funding.  

“PCB runs 50 per cent on the funding of ICC. 90 per cent of funding to ICC comes from India. I’m afraid that if India stopped funding ICC, then PCB might collapse because PCB gives zero per cent funding to ICC. I’m determined to make Pakistan cricket strong,” said Raja.

“One strong investor told me that a blank cheque is ready for the PCB if Pakistan beats India in the upcoming T20 World Cup,” he added.

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He also stated that teams won’t pull out of Pakistan tours if we have a strong financial backing.  

“If our cricket economy is strong, we won’t be used and then binned by teams like England and New Zealand,” he said. “Best cricket team and best cricket economy are two big challenges.”

Raja also spoke about better salaries for domestic cricketers.

“We have increased salaries of domestic cricketers by hundred thousand rupees as we want to ensure that they earn atleast four million rupees every year. PCB is also looking for sponsors in this regard,” he concluded.