Ramiz emphasises need to develop cricket economy

Pakistan's cricket economy needs to be developed, emphasised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja on Tuesday, highlighting that in Pakistan cricket is run by funding from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

"The participation of our local investors is lacking," he said during his visit to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). After striking the gong to open trading, he said: "Coming here [PSX] is a unique experience. My purpose to visit Karachi was to promote investment in the cricket economy."

Raja said that national cricket depends on ICC. "I want you to take part in boosting the economy of cricket. Cricket has grown by leaps and bounds in our neighbouring country due to investment in the sector."

The PCB chairman said that after the teams of New Zealand and England abandoned their tours of Pakistan, "we have learned two things - one is that if your team is number one, other international teams will not go back, and secondly if the cricket economy is good, the teams will not return".

Sharing his plans for the development of cricket in Pakistan, the chairman said: "We are trying to develop cricket from school level." He urged the investors present at PSX to play their part and invest in the cricket economy. Raja highlighted that he was the fourth cricketer in the history of the country who has been appointed as the chairman of the cricket board,

Meanwhile, The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced the national team's departure schedule to the UAE for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The Babar Azam-led Pakistan squad will leave for the country on October 15 via a chartered flight.

As per details, the players participating in the National T20 World Cup will move from one bubble to another after the completion of the event. The much-anticipated World Cup will begin on October 17 while the final will be played on November 14.

All the members of the national team's support staff will gather in Lahore on October 8 and will be quarantined for seven days at a local hotel in Lahore. Bowling consultant Vernon Philander will arrive in Pakistan on October 7 and will join the squad in the UAE. He will travel with the national team to the UAE.

Meanwhile, batting consultant Matthew Hayden will join the national squad in the UAE. The cricket board has allowed all members of the national squad to take their families along with them to the UAE.