[VIDEO] "The money lies in India, so basically, India controls world cricket now" : PM Imran Khan

[MenInG]

Imran Khan, the only world class cricketer to become the prime minister of his country , has displayed a truly British stiff upper lip in his first recorded reaction to the cancellation of the English cricket tour of Pakistan.

The former captain of Pakistan told Middle East Eye: “England let themselves down, because I expected a bit more from England. I did not expect them to act unilaterally without consulting anyone.”

The decision, announced on 20 September, has been met with fury among Pakistan cricket fans. It also contributed to the resignation of English Cricket Board chairman Ian Watmore last week, amid criticism that it failed to honour a debt owed to Pakistan when it toured England during the summer.

In a moment of deep embarrassment for the England Cricket Board, the British High Commission in Islamabad distanced itself from the decision, making clear through social media that it had been in favour of the tour going ahead.

'There is still this feeling in England that they do a great favour to play countries like Pakistan'

In an interview with Middle East Eye, Khan said that “There is still this feeling in England that they do a great favour to play countries like Pakistan”.

He also said that England would not have dared to do the same to India “because they know that, [with] the sums involved, India can sort of produce much more money. Money is a big player now for the players as well as the cricket board. [The] Indian cricket board is the richest, so India basically controls world cricket.”

The Pakistan prime minister also criticised New Zealand for cancelling their tour on 17 September after a bomb threat. The Black Caps called off their tour only minutes before the first match was due to begin in Rawalpindi in September, despite Khan speaking to Jacinda Ardern, the New Zealand prime minister.

Khan said that the threat was “fake news" and added: “The biggest worry for the protection of foreign teams is for us. Imagine if something happens in Pakistan. We are responsible and we have one of the best intelligence agencies in the world."

The cancellation of the crickets tours by England and New Zealand is an especially bruising blow to Pakistan. International teams have, until recently, avoided visiting the country since the attack by Lashkar-e-Jhangvi on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in March 2009, which killed six policemen and two civilians, as well as injuring six members of the cricket team, two staff and a reserve umpire. England’s tour in October would have been its first visit to Pakistan since 2005.

Khan acknowledged that the decision was “disappointing” and pointed out that Pakistan toured England in July 2021 during the Covid lockdown.

“They should ask themselves the question, what would they have thought if some country did that to them,” he said.

Khan is regarded as one of the all-time greats of cricket. During his 21-year career as a batsman and bowler, he captained Pakistan to World Cup victory in 1992, with a famous victory over England in the final. Two of his first cousins, Masjid Khan and Javid Burki, have also captained Pakistan.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/e...hemselves-down

[Slim]

Man, you dont hear money money money in Football. Might have a lot to do with desis, who are all about the money.

[JattMaula]

Man, you dont hear money money money in Football. Might have a lot to do with desis, who are all about the money.

Not true. Just check letest news of EPL.

[MenInG]

Pakistan Prime Minister and former cricket captain Imran Khan has slammed England over their decision to cancel their tour of the country.

The England men's and women's teams were set to visit Pakistan for a joint tour this month, with the men's side due to play two T20Is ahead of the T20 World Cup and the women's team scheduled to play two T20Is and three ODIs.

However, the ECB scrapped the tour last month, citing "the mental and physical well-being of our players and support staff".

The decision did not go down well, especially after the British High Commission they "did not advise against it on security grounds", and it ultimately led to ECB chairman Ian Watmore stepping down.

Now, Khan has criticised England over the cancellation, telling Middle East Eye: "I think 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, obviously, the money. Money is a big player now, for the players as well as for the cricket boards.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/crick...d-ecb-25187961

[iniqbal223]

Not focussing on improving our own grassroots and just stating the obvious (India has big $$$ in cricket). Is IK just waking up from some sleep?

The least he could do is t stop nepotism in high visibility (PCT) team, however, that even increased a lot in last 2 years where failed players were part of the team repeatedly that today we have to go back again to Malik and Hafeez..

Looks like cricket is lowest priority for IK.

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Not focussing on improving our own grassroots and just stating the obvious (India has big $$$ in cricket). Is IK just waking up from some sleep?

The least he could do is t stop nepotism in high visibility (PCT) team, however, that even increased a lot in last 2 years where failed players were part of the team repeatedly that today we have to go back again to Malik and Hafeez..

Looks like cricket is lowest priority for IK.

He's one of the longstanding spokesmen for grassroots change of Pakistan cricket going back decades. Neither is he wrong about the importance of money in controlling world cricket. Not sure what your issue is, has he said something wrong?

He's PM of Pakistan now, it's not his job to focus on cricket any more.

[BaankeJi]

That is a surprise because I thought BCCI lives on handouts from ICC.

[Rajdeep]

Is it only me or since Ramiz Raja joined, there is a regular comment about India every day from every quarter in Pakistan.

Also, he is wrong about England. Pakistan is a big draw here and no one considers playing them as a favour. There is a reason Pak gets invitation to tour Eng every year.

Imran should focus on country and leave the cricket to PCB. He is a PM now, remember?

[NishanKonar]

Is it only me or since Ramiz Raja joined, there is a regular comment about India every day from every quarter in Pakistan.

Also, he is wrong about England. Pakistan is a big draw here and no one considers playing them as a favour. There is a reason Pak gets invitation to tour Eng every year.

Imran should focus on country and leave the cricket to PCB. He is a PM now, remember?

Imran is blaming India right from the time he came to power. Nothing to do with Ramiz Raja. Good strategy to play to the gallery and divert public attention when the economy is not doing well & inflation is soaring

But yes all this cribbing wont pay any dividends. Better strategy is to reform Pakistan cricket. Better domestic system, better fitness standards, remove match fixers and 40 plus veterans from team

[Saj]

If 1 person or 1 nation has so much influence it can only be a bad thing for any sport.

If it goes pear-shaped in India/BCCI, the consequences will be huge.

[Major]

He's one of the longstanding spokesmen for grassroots change of Pakistan cricket going back decades. Neither is he wrong about the importance of money in controlling world cricket. Not sure what your issue is, has he said something wrong?

He's PM of Pakistan now, it's not his job to focus on cricket any more.

Hes patron in chief of pcb... Let that sink in

[Colorblind Genius]

Man, you dont hear money money money in Football. Might have a lot to do with desis, who are all about the money.

Isn't that what its all about now?

No one plays cricket for pride anymore. There is only factor, MONEY!

Every cricket board is focused on making what? MONEY!

Every player is primarily focused on what? MONEY!

And when there is money, what else comes with it? Politics!

And this is where we are now in the name of a sports and cricket = Money and Politics.

[NishanKonar]

Isn't that what its all about now?

No one plays cricket for pride anymore. There is only factor, MONEY!

Every cricket board is focused on making what? MONEY!

Every player is primarily focused on what? MONEY!

And when there is money, what else comes with it? Politics!

And this is where we are now in the name of a sports and cricket = Money and Politics.

Nobody played for pride at any point. Everyone played cricket to feed their families ( except for wealthy elites like Nawab of Pataudi & the Douglas Jardines who played it as pastime bcoz they did not worry about money )

There is reason almost everyone who could joined Kerry Packer in 1977 including the likes of Michael Holding ( with honorable exceptions like Bishan Bedi who in any case had stable govt job to fall back upon )

[Colorblind Genius]

Nobody played for pride at any point. Everyone played cricket to feed their families ( except for wealthy elites like Nawab of Pataudi & the Douglas Jardines who played it as pastime bcoz they did not worry about money )

There is reason almost everyone who could joined Kerry Packer in 1977 including the likes of Michael Holding ( with honorable exceptions like Bishan Bedi who in any case had stable govt job to fall back upon )

Your argument may have some merit to it but whether you like it or not, the balance has changed significantly over years.

Watch one of Hanif Muhammad's interview.
He used to ride a bicycle to reach the cricket ground to play TEST CRICKET.

He got paid Rs 50 per Test match but said, "hardly anyone cared about money in those days. It was all above passion and love for the sports and playing for the pride of your country".

And I agree with him.

Money was not the major incentive for many, many greats of the past.

You may say, like everything else, cricket has also evolved. And I won't disagree.

But to say that this is how it always has been? No, I don't think it's true.

[NishanKonar]

Your argument may have some merit to it but whether you like it or not, the balance has changed significantly over years.

Watch one of Hanif Muhammad's interview.
He used to ride a bicycle to reach the cricket ground to play TEST CRICKET.

He got paid Rs 50 per Test match but said, "hardly anyone cared about money in those days. It was all above passion and love for the sports and playing for the pride of your country".

And I agree with him.

Money was not the major incentive for many, many greats of the past.

You may say, like everything else, cricket has also evolved. And I won't disagree.

But to say that this is how it always has been? No, I don't think it's true.

There was not much money in the sport those days. but again Rs 50 in 1950s was not some token money. It was a princely sum at a time when 90% of the subcontinent lived under poverty. In 1950 you could buy 5-6 grams of gold with just Rs 50 in India

In fact most Indian & Pakistani cricketers of 50s & 60s & 70s belonged to the wealthy classes who could afford to play the game without bothering about family income. The masses could never afford to play the game. Hanif Mohammad himself belonged to wealthy family from Junagadh

Gary Sobers once said he was upset with West Indies board over salaries & preferred to play county cricket instead of playing for West Indies on a tour of Australia ( he was ultimately persuaded by Don Bradman to play for West Indies )

[BreadPakoda]

Your argument may have some merit to it but whether you like it or not, the balance has changed significantly over years.

Watch one of Hanif Muhammad's interview.
He used to ride a bicycle to reach the cricket ground to play TEST CRICKET.

He got paid Rs 50 per Test match but said, "hardly anyone cared about money in those days. It was all above passion and love for the sports and playing for the pride of your country".

And I agree with him.

Money was not the major incentive for many, many greats of the past.

You may say, like everything else, cricket has also evolved. And I won't disagree.

But to say that this is how it always has been? No, I don't think it's true.

Not only cricketers, even the rest of the world was not running after money back in the day. These days everything is commercialized across the globe.

[BreadPakoda]

Money is the root of all evil

- every man who doesn’t have a lot of money

[sweep_shot]

Isn't that what its all about now?

No one plays cricket for pride anymore. There is only factor, MONEY!

Every cricket board is focused on making what? MONEY!

Every player is primarily focused on what? MONEY!

And when there is money, what else comes with it? Politics!

And this is where we are now in the name of a sports and cricket = Money and Politics.

That's correct.

Players are ditching national teams to become freelancers.

Money has become #1 driving force.

[NishanKonar]

Money is the root of all evil

- every man who doesn’t have a lot of money

" Money is not everything , but make sure you have earned enough before you even think of such nonsense "

- Shahrukh Khan ( one of his best lines to be honest )

[iniqbal223]

He's one of the longstanding spokesmen for grassroots change of Pakistan cricket going back decades. Neither is he wrong about the importance of money in controlling world cricket. Not sure what your issue is, has he said something wrong?

He's PM of Pakistan now, it's not his job to focus on cricket any more.

Issue is repeated selections of failed players like Asif Alli , Malik, etc. IK appointed Misbah , Waqar set up which did the highest order of nepotism in the team.. except for getting Rizwan the batter, we did not get anything in last 2 years

IK should have known this; but did nothing to kill this nepotistic culture within the team

[iniqbal223]

Hes patron in chief of pcb... Let that sink in

totally agree!
He is the patron in chief who knew in and out of PCB; but just turned blind eyes when it comes to nepotistic culture introduced by Misbah..

[moghul]

Is it only me or since Ramiz Raja joined, there is a regular comment about India every day from every quarter in Pakistan.

Also, he is wrong about England. Pakistan is a big draw here and no one considers playing them as a favour. There is a reason Pak gets invitation to tour Eng every year.

Imran should focus on country and leave the cricket to PCB. He is a PM now, remember?

If you don;t have even basic knowledge of cricket, let me tell you IK was an ATG cricket and he knows a thing or two about cricket.

[globalcitizen]

Imran Khan, the only world class cricketer to become the prime minister of his country , has displayed a truly British stiff upper lip in his first recorded reaction to the cancellation of the English cricket tour of Pakistan.

The former captain of Pakistan told Middle East Eye: “England let themselves down, because I expected a bit more from England. I did not expect them to act unilaterally without consulting anyone.”

The decision, announced on 20 September, has been met with fury among Pakistan cricket fans. It also contributed to the resignation of English Cricket Board chairman Ian Watmore last week, amid criticism that it failed to honour a debt owed to Pakistan when it toured England during the summer.

In a moment of deep embarrassment for the England Cricket Board, the British High Commission in Islamabad distanced itself from the decision, making clear through social media that it had been in favour of the tour going ahead.

'There is still this feeling in England that they do a great favour to play countries like Pakistan'

In an interview with Middle East Eye, Khan said that “There is still this feeling in England that they do a great favour to play countries like Pakistan”.

He also said that England would not have dared to do the same to India “because they know that, [with] the sums involved, India can sort of produce much more money. Money is a big player now for the players as well as the cricket board. [The] Indian cricket board is the richest, so India basically controls world cricket.”

The Pakistan prime minister also criticised New Zealand for cancelling their tour on 17 September after a bomb threat. The Black Caps called off their tour only minutes before the first match was due to begin in Rawalpindi in September, despite Khan speaking to Jacinda Ardern, the New Zealand prime minister.

Khan said that the threat was “fake news" and added: “The biggest worry for the protection of foreign teams is for us. Imagine if something happens in Pakistan. We are responsible and we have one of the best intelligence agencies in the world."

The cancellation of the crickets tours by England and New Zealand is an especially bruising blow to Pakistan. International teams have, until recently, avoided visiting the country since the attack by Lashkar-e-Jhangvi on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in March 2009, which killed six policemen and two civilians, as well as injuring six members of the cricket team, two staff and a reserve umpire. England’s tour in October would have been its first visit to Pakistan since 2005.

Khan acknowledged that the decision was “disappointing” and pointed out that Pakistan toured England in July 2021 during the Covid lockdown.

“They should ask themselves the question, what would they have thought if some country did that to them,” he said.

Khan is regarded as one of the all-time greats of cricket. During his 21-year career as a batsman and bowler, he captained Pakistan to World Cup victory in 1992, with a famous victory over England in the final. Two of his first cousins, Masjid Khan and Javid Burki, have also captained Pakistan.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/e...hemselves-down

Of course it's always MONEY, we know how cricketers in 2008 spot fixed against their owm country and ruined their careers. Where did the pride go?

India has marketed itself well in world of cricket and its reaping benefits and helping other nations as well. Its crazy that a country like Pakistan with millions of cricket crazy people can't do it. That's just incompetence say it as it is.

[Cryin Out Loud]

It’s not obsession but a sign of maturity that Pakistani leaders are publicly acknowledging arch -rival and often straight enemy India’s pre- eminence in cricket.

The path to growth starts with first accepting how the world works. Instead of deluding oneself with fantasies, myth and some warped version of history.

If anything this increases my respect for both Rameez and Imran. They’re telling you how it is, not playing to the gallery.

In turn it leads me to the assessment that their combined leadership has a chance of making a positive impact on Pakistan cricket. Of course it would be impractical to expect a Bollywood style massive turnaround, but I think these are very positive signs.

[Cryin Out Loud]

And on money - check the history of cricket. We may talk about the good old times when people played for love but the facts is that the origins of the great game as we know it now can be traced straight to gambling, betting scandals and all sorts of murky dealings.

[PakLFC]

It's not news. BCCI contributes the most money to the ICC. Naturally they will have most of the cake. Why does it always take IK to verify such things for us? It would still be the case if IK had not made such an obvious comment.

[adzzy786]

Man, you dont hear money money money in Football. Might have a lot to do with desis, who are all about the money.

That’s ridiculous. Footballers get paid much more than cricketers hence this isn’t an issue. Footballers earn more in one week that some cricketers do in a year

[Pakhs]

There is nothing new here India has been a super power of cricket in over 20 years now. This is fair as only Indian fans are keeping cricket going all other nations fan treat cricket as some sort of 2nd class sport.

I am seeing Bangladeshi fans are also treating cricket as a big sport now a days. In Pakistan fans dont even fill up the crowd, Srilankan fans although fan of cricket also have big interest in western football.

All western cricket playing countries in SA have well other well established sports as No. 1 sport.

We are seeing increasingly in the last 25 years that Indian fans fill up majority of the spaces for all Indian matches regardless to where the match is played plus they make up a significant number of crowd even in games not involving India in ICC tournaments.

[Varun]

A profound statement if it was 2001 and not 2021.

[iniqbal223]

what's the point IK is making :

Since we can't compete at international level ; then blame the others to cover up our shortcomings

I am disappointed, never expected this kind of tame excuses from IK (we all know).. He should probably resign as PM (being a patron of PCB), if he is failing to lift this Pakistan team. He is just compromising to all the political pressures just to remain our so called PM....And btw what the business of Faisal Javed t interfere in cricket matters??
Embarrassing!! our own powerful people destroy our own systems

[Lego20]

England and New Zealand back out of tour to Pakistan independently on their own based on their security assessment (wrong or right). India has no place or role in this event. Reeks of jealousy and obsession.

[iniqbal223]

Let me rephrase IK's statement :

Money lies with some powerful men/ politicians ; these people controls selections in Pakistan cricket now

[iniqbal223]

England and New Zealand back out of tour to Pakistan independently on their own based on their security assessment (wrong or right). India has no place or role in this event. Reeks of jealousy and obsession.

Just showing his incompetence of mishandling NZC tour; where he was not able to convince his counterpart

[OMB]

Let me rephrase IK's statement :

Money lies with some powerful men/ politicians ; these people controls selections in Pakistan cricket now

He didn't say that but he did hint at money making boards dictating other boards (which to me reeks of a diversionary conspiracy more for internal consumption in Pakistan)