Ramiz Raja offers explanation for misbehaving with journalist, says he ‘made provocative statement’

New Delhi: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja was in the limelight after Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup finals against Pakistan. A video of Ramiz mistreating an Indian journalist surfaced on the internet and netizens slammed him for doing so. He recently gave an explanation about the incident on his YouTube show, ‘Fans Forum With Ramiz’.

After the Asia Cup 2022 finals, a journalist asked Ramiz if he had a message for the Pakistan cricket fans, who were heartbroken after the loss. Raza, rather than giving a message, said, “Aap India se honge (You are probably from India)” and added that people in India must be happy after Pakistan’s loss. The PCB chief also tried to snatch the reporter’s mobile phone, most probably, to delete the recording.

Talking on his show he said that the journalist had made a provocative statement. According to Ramiz, the journalist did not choose the correct words. “He said that all Pakistan fans were upset about the result of the Asia Cup final. My question to him was how did he know that? You are some 2000 miles away from Pakistan so how do you know the fans are unhappy? This was a completely provocative statement,” he said.

Meanwhile, after the incident the journalist also tweeted saying, ‘Was my question wrong- are Pakistan fans not unhappy- that’s not right Mr Chairman taking my phone was not right.’ He also shared footage of the incident on social media which sparked this row.

क्या मेरा सवाल ग़लत था – क्या पाकिस्तान के फ़ैन नाखुश नहीं है – ये बहुत ग़लत था एक बोर्ड के चेयरमैन के रूप में – आपको मेरा फ़ोन नहीं छीनना चाहिये था – that’s not right Mr Chairman Taking my phone was not right @TheRealPCB @iramizraja #PAKvSL #SLvsPAK pic.twitter.com/tzio5cJvbG

— रोहित जुगलान Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) September 11, 2022

In the game, Sri Lanka did not start well but Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Wanindu Hasaranga stood up to post a total of 170/6. Rajapaksa’s fire-powered 71* off 45 balls and Hasaranga’s 36 off 21 were key for Sri Lanka’s victory after Haris Rauf picked up three wickets. In return, Pakistan could on manage 147 Pramod Madushan and Hasaranga picked four and three wickets respectively.