Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja, who had recently proposed the idea of a four-nation Twenty20 Super Series involving arch-rivals India – Pakistan, and England and Australia, has reckoned that his aim is not just to hold a cricket tournament but also to generate revenues for the four participating boards along with the cricket boards affiliated to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
“We have got to break the barriers for the sake of the game and the fans,” Raja was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
Notably, big teams like India, Australia and England find it difficult for a window in the packed global cricket calendar however, Raja felt that it would be shame if one can’t find a window for such an event.
“If you can’t find a window for this, then cricket is doomed, sorry,” he expressed.
Further detailing on his plan for the quadrangular series, Raza said that he would propose a Ltd company at the ICC with a dedicated staff and a Chief Executive Officer for the purpose.
“I am proposing a new Ltd company at the ICC to run the four-nation Super Series with a dedicated CEO. There has to be a new structure for the pooling and sharing of income,” he opined.
“The financials/money can be divided in a staggered percentage way amongst the ICC Boards. For this we have to create an FTP window for it,” Raza added.
“It could be a financial and viewing bonanza as there would be numerous little battles like Pakistan-India and Ashes rivalry (England-Australia) within such a competition. It would be a great comeback of sorts for countries competition (international cricket) as a challenge of franchise cricket mounts,” he analysed.
The PCB chief also said that he will propose the idea by this week. “I am still to float it (the idea) officially, I might do so by the end of the week,” he said.
Notably, arch-rivals India and Pakistan only face each other in ICC events as bilateral cricket has been suspended between the two nations due to political tensions and the idea behid the annual quadrangular T20 was to see them facing-off each other regular in international cricket.
Earlier, the PCB chief had said that as the two nations don’t play bilateral cricket, the annual four-nation series would pave a way to see the two sides facing-off each other in international cricket.
“It’s not going to happen right now, but who knows,” Raja had told Code Sports.
“I have a good mind of proposing a rugby Six Nations-style series that they have a cricket series, a T20 international series outside the FTP [Future Tours Programme] where Australia, England, India, and Pakistan can play four sides,” he said.
“I was thinking of maybe introducing this concept at the ICC meeting. If India and Pakistan are not willing to play bilaterally, involve them in a four-nation [event], and so every year this tournament could go to England, Australia, Pakistan and India and take it from there. I will (propose it), definitely I will. So this is breaking news,” Raza added.